Who shall lead? An integrative personality approach to the study of the antecedents of status in informal social organizations

Authors

Peter D. Harms, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Brent W. Roberts, University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignFollow
Dustin Wood, University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignFollow

Date of this Version

6-2007

Comments

Published in Journal of Research in Personality 41:3 (June 2007), pp. 689–699; doi: 10.1016/j.jrp.2006.08.001 Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Inc. Used by permission. http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jrp

Abstract

The effects of personality traits, motives, and leadership identity claims on the attainment of status in informal, social organizations were assessed in several organizations using multiple indices of status. The power motive Hope for Power was predictive of holding executive offices. Extraversion and Conscientiousness predicted peer-ratings of social influence. Extraversion, Emotional Stability, and Dominance were related to subjective beliefs of personal power and influence. Seeing oneself as a leader mediated the effects of personality traits and motives on subjective sense of power and attaining social influence, but not achieving formal office. Together, these findings offer an integrated look at the unique relationships between personality and status attainment.