No abstract

This study investigated managers' perceptions of the relative importance of 10 personality traits for success in their managerial roles, as a function of level of position within management. Data were obtained by means of a questionnaire in which the 10 traits were rank ordered in importance by over 1800 respondents from all parts of management and all types of companies. The 10 traits consisted of 5 Other-Directed or Organization Man type traits, and 5 Inner-Directed type traits. Results showed that Inner-Directed traits were perceived as more important at each higher level of management and thereby Other-Directed traits were seen as more important at each lower level of management.

In a questionnaire study, over 1800 managerial respondents rank-ordered 5 Other-Directed or Organization Man personality traits and 5 Inner-Directed traits in terms of their importance for job success. Responses were tabulated by 3 types of managerial positions: line, combined line-staff, and staff. Results showed that staff managers placed relatively more emphasis on the Other-Directed traits and less emphasis on the Inner-Directed traits than did line managers. Managers in combined line-staff jobs were intermediate between the other 2 groups in their responses.