The book “The Leadership Shadow” by Prof Erik de Haan and Dr Anthony Kasozi, contains some interesting insights into what makes a good leader, and how to identify what sort of leader you are. In this extract, we look at some specific character traits displayed by business people – from the ‘charming manipulator’ to the ‘simmering stalwart’.
Most executives and leaders we meet are curious about how best how they come across to others. They are particularly concerned to find out more about how to behave to be effective. Those that work with them are equally curious. Often the first question you hear asked about anyone taking up a leadership role is “what kind of leader is he/she?”
Human beings are very complex. It is not useful to label all their possible complex behaviours in narrow simplistic ways. However much work has now been done to categorise and describe the wide ranging patterns of behaviours, preferences, ways of relating, learning styles, drivers, personality factors, responses to stress , and motivational factors that people associate with.
In the book “The Leadership Shadow” we examine in some detail some of the ways you can inquire into and understand better the leadership patterns you have. We refer and summarise patterns briefly here, presenting a typology of 11 distinct patterns experienced when executives go into relational myopia and overdrive. This typology is based on observations of executives built on clinical descriptions of character described by psychiatrists and can be found in medical manuals [Ref: DSM- IV – American Psychological Association 1994].
If you are an executive keen to understand better how others experience you, you may recognise some of your own patterns and the patterns of others around you in these descriptions. It may be useful for you to reflect on when and how these patterns are helpful and productive and when and how they become unhelpful and counter-productive..
Summary Overview Description of Patterns
(Please note this is a very high level summary description and more detail and information underpins and informs each of these)
Movers and Shakers – Patterns that focus on action or (paradoxically) actively withdrawing from (productive) action
1. “The Charming Manipulator”- which we have linked to ‘anti-social’ characteristics – moves to charm and dazzle you and to engineer a very impressive performance.
2. “The Playful Encourager” – which we have linked to ‘passive-aggressive’ characteristics – moves to encourage others and find encouragement, being both sensitive to motivation and reluctant to act when not motivated.
3. “The Glowing Gatsby” – which we have linked to ‘narcissistic’ characteristics – moves to propel him- or herself forward into a glorious future, impressing everyone around them.
4. “The Detached Diplomat” – which we have linked to ‘schizoid’ characteristics – distinguishes him- or herself by not being moved in those occasions where other people would be: their main characteristic is a stoic, tough or detached form of ‘non movement’.
Rigorous Thinkers: Patterns which are related to the leader’s cognitive style or way of thinking:
1. “The Responsible Workaholic” which we have linked to ‘obsessive-compulsive’ characteristics – ruminates about his every action and doggedly carries it out with rich detail and self-monitoring.
2. “The Impulsive Loyalist” – which we have linked to ‘borderline’ characteristics – ruminates in a more excited way, vacillating between optimism and pessimism.
3. “The Brilliant Sceptic” which we have linked to ‘paranoid’ characteristics – is a critical thinker, full of suspicions about other people’s motives.
4. “The Creative Day Dreamer” which we have linked to ‘schizotypal’ characteristics – is a creative thinker with endless supplies of great ideas that however rarely get executed.
Sensitive Carers: three Patterns related to the leader’s care and attention to emotion and feeling.
1. “The Virtuous Supporter” – which we have linked to ‘dependent’ characteristics – feels for other people and wants to be a good team player for them.
2. “The Accomplished Thespian” which we have linked to ‘histrionic’ characteristics – overflows with feeling, particularly their own private feelings.
3. “The Simmering Stalwart” which we have linked to ‘avoidant’ characteristics – also overflows with feeling, but more in a concerned and troubled sort of way.
In the book “The Leadership Shadow” we describe classic patterns of derailment and offer help to discover how these patterns may show up and you might assess how these patterns may be relevant to you.
After learning about a range of leadership patterns or subclinical personality traits you may wish to inquire further into your own patterns as a leader or to get professional executive coaching support and assistance to do so. Given the importance of the feedback you get, we would advise that if you choose to do so, you ensure that you select a qualified and accredited coach or consultant. Your coach can explain and guide you through the inventory you choose to use and can help you make sense of the feedback and its implications for you.
Further Information
This article has been adapted and edited from ‘The Leadership Shadow’ by Prof Erik de Haan and Dr Anthony Kasozi, which was published on 3rd August 2014. You can find out more at www.koganpage.com.
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