Personality traits in leadership
What does data say about personality, diversity and leadership?
We often talk about gender when we talk about diversity in leadership. But what if the most crucial difference isn't about men and women, but about personality traits?And what if something important gets lost on the way up through the organization?
In this case, we dive into a comprehensive dataset from personality tests and take a closer look at how personality traits are distributed across gender and management levels, and not least what happens when you move up to the top.
The case explores, among other things:
- How certain personality traits are more prominent in women and men at the employee level
- How these differences gradually blur as you move up the management hierarchy
- Why typically “feminine” personality traits seem to disappear as management levels rise
- How both women og men with more “soft” or relational traits are screened out in talent and leadership pipelines
- What it means for real diversity in management teams, beyond gender alone
The case raises key questions for HR, managers and decision-makers:
What personality traits do we – consciously or unconsciously – reward in our recruitment and talent processes? And do we risk reproducing the same leadership profile over and over again, even when the ambition is more diversity?
The data base shows clear patterns, but does not provide ready-made answers. On the other hand, the case provides a strong basis for reflection, dialogue and critical thinking about how we understand and work with diversity, leadership potential and the leadership of the future.
We look forward to opening up a nuanced conversation about personality, power, and the choices we make long before anyone reaches the top.
Lise Sustmann Allen, Chief Psychology and Innovation Officer (CPIO), Master International A/S
Lise is an industrial psychologist and Chief Psychology and Innovation Officer (CPIO) at Master International A/S, where she specializes in the development of global HR testing solutions and psychometrics. She has over 10 years of experience in talent assessment and is Vice Chair of the Knowledge Center for Professional Person Assessment, a membership organization that works to promote evidence-based person assessment methods. Lise is also a recognized keynote speaker within HR, diversity and talent development, offering lectures and workshops. She is also a Partner and Head of Human Experience at TUESDAY, which works to raise the level of board groups.