Exploring the connection between personality traits and effective self-leadership : A quantitative study on how personality affects performance

Abstract: Abstract Title: Exploring the connection between personality traits and effective self-leadership: A quantitative study on how personality affects performance Level: Student thesis, final assignment for Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration Authors: Jonna Jonasson and Elisabeth Wallmon Supervisor: Svante Brunåker Date: 2023 - June Aim: The purpose of this study is to explore the connection between personality traits and effective self-leadership, and by extension to clarify this connection. Method: The study was based on a quantitative method of an online survey distributed to a targeted sample of Facebook users in global online Myers-Briggs Type Indicator forums. However, one open question of the survey was analyzed qualitatively through deductive thematic analysis. The questionnaire generated 980 answers which were analyzed through the statistical software program Minitab 21. A proportionally stratified sample of 100 respondents, based on the actual global distribution, was also analyzed. Results and conclusions: The findings of the empirical data show a statistically significant connection between the Big Five personality trait Conscientiousness and higher scores for the variables of “total for result” - a measurement of respondents’ ability to exercise self-leadership, and in extension self-efficacy. This connection is also confirmed by the findings of the qualitative analysis. The empirical data also indicate a connection between the Big Five personality trait Conscientiousness and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator’s Judging personality types. According to our definition of a desirable result Conscientious and Judging individuals display higher tendencies of self-efficacy in their perceived performance. Contribution of the thesis: The study provides an insight into possibilities of increasing self-awareness in individuals, thus improving their practiced self-leadership. By extension - the study contributes to improving the usage of personality tests by contemplating the additional aspect of the applicant’s personality traits that relate to self-leadership, in order to match the degree of autonomy in the work role with the applicant and provide a better understanding of the needs of the new employee. Suggestion for future research: Further research should reexamine the findings of this study in terms of actual results of accomplishing tasks in time, fulfilling commitments, and achieving set goals - thereby exploring the actual performance of the respondents. Keywords: “Self-Leadership”, “Self-Efficacy”, “Trait Theory”, “Big Five”, “MBTI”.