The predictive value of psychological type and self-monitoring on emergent leadership

Abstract

Recent studies (Zaccaro, Foti, and Kenny, 1991; Rueb and Foti, in press) have found a relationship between self-monitoring, a measure of response flexibility, and emergent leadership. The present study re-examined this issue, introducing the hypothesis that psychological type may act as a moderator in the relationship. Subjects completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the revised Self-Monitoring scale, and four group tasks. After each task, subjects rated each other on perceived leadership. Results indicated that 73% of leadership ratings, and 54% of a rankings measure was stable and due to characteristics of the individual. The relationship between self-monitoring and emergent leadership was not found, thus the interaction between self-monitoring and type with emergent leadership could not be tested. There was a relationship between self-monitoring and agreement in ratings of perceived leadership. Implications of inaccurate ratings are discussed with respect to the emergent leadership/self-monitoring issue.