When we think of leaders, we think of people who take charge, who speak up, people who can take control of a situation.  But some recent research indicates that this model may not necessarily be true.

Sometimes, people who are more reserved are better leaders than those who are more outgoing.  The most important element in this equation is the type of people that the person is leading.

Leaders who are of the more-assertive, take-charge type become the center around which the group functions, and they create a clear vision of who has authority and what direction the group is moving.  But putting this type of leader as head of a group of workers who are themselves outspoken, initiative-taking people may create more friction than anything else.  Placing the group with a leader who is more reserved may be just the combination to make the group successful.

In most businesses, researchers say, an outgoing personality is the best predictor of who will become a leader.  But, they add, there is little research to show how effective more reserved leaders could be.

To test their theory, they examined pizza delivery businesses.  What they found is that the more enterprising the workers were, the better the business operated when the manager was more hands-off, more laid back.  When the employees were not self-starters, the business made better profits with a more take-charge manager.  When the employees were more take-charge themselves, the more extraverted managers actually felt  that their position was threatened.  But the more introverted managers were more apt to listen to employee suggestions and to back up the employees in their desire to take the initiative.

Putting aggressive workers together with an aggressive boss may not only make the manager feel threatened, but may lead to a loss of motivation among the workers because of the conflict with the manager.  And where the hierarchy is more flat, there may be power struggles.

But a more introspective manager would be more willing to listen to ideas, and not become bogged down with ego problems or constantly feeling the need to assert his or her authority.

Need some managers and line personnel for your Tampa-area firm? Call upon the recruiters at StaffEx. We’ll find reliable and skilled workers for your temporary, temp-to-hire and direct-placement positions. We look forward to hearing from you.