For our inaugural feature, we would like to share with you the link between Personality and Culture and a review of globally influential people’s personality styles.
Initially, in my 1981 and 1982 research studies conducted with national and international companies, I noticed that the Founder of the organization had significant impact on the “Personality (or ‘Culture’) of the Organization: Key successful managers reflected the personality of the Founder as did top performing staff, and the customers they attracted had very similar personalities as well. There were cases where the geographically divergent field operations had variances, but the respective manager attracted customers much like him/her. This proved to be a very intriguing concept that fueled my interest in understanding organizations, the people that shape them, as well as the people who are attracted to them (customers). Hence, the birth of PREP in 1984 was linked to researching culture1 and the individuals within a given culture.
This feature is designed to offer our readers a deeper insight into “what makes them tick and what motivates them”. Offering an as objective a perspective as possible is very important to us, so your feedback is most appreciated – pro or con!
(1) Culture defined by Dr. Klaus P. Hansen: ‘Culture encompasses the totality of the customs and habits for that group(of people)’. (Kultur und Kulturwissenschaft, Klaus P. Hansen, UTB,Tuebingen and Basel, 2003.)
US Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates for the two major parties
The 2008 National Election for US President is heating up. As with any campaign, while voters are analyzing the “issues”, many voters are increasingly focused on the “personality” of the candidates in the race. While our PREP Parade of Personalities doesn’t endorse or condone different actions, we can identify the more obvious personality styles at work through their outwardly manifested behaviors. By understanding the styles of highly influential world leaders, we can then, to a certain extent, predict the resulting ‘Culture’ of each candidate’s potential Administration. We offer in advance the all-important caveat that values are not measured by PREP. The style of presenting to the public, however, is usually a matter of personality.
In alphabetical order:
Joe Biden
Vice Presidential Candidate, Democratic Party
Joe Biden has a self-admitted Outgoing style. In his speech, he mentioned that he is known to talk a lot, at times even too much. So, as a political candidate, this would also indicate that his communication style is personal. Personal communicators are empathetic, friendly, and enjoy positive, optimistic interactions with others. They are quick to praise others and look on the bright side of things. When confronted either directly or with a ‘surprise attack’ however, they often retreat and may feel personally hurt and take some time getting their balance back. While Joe Biden has an extensive history and impressive resume as a federal statesman, the sharp, cutting remarks directed at his character may scar him more quickly and deeply than the public might guess. Once he regains his sense of balance, he will probably come back with extraordinarily keen and lucid arguments, hitting square at the meat of the matter. The question is, how much time does he need to regain his balance?
Outgoing types need more time to think through their responses to analytical or piercing, ‘sound-bite’ allegations. The initial backup stance for an Outgoing style is sarcasm and denial of the seriousness of the situation, hence creating a risk of not addressing the critical issue quickly enough to ward off savvy pundits or strategic political jabs. Biden most probably has a ‘systematic’ problem solving style, which is characterized by reserved risk taking and having more tried and true approaches to decision making. He is accused of being a Washington insider, even though he commutes out of Washington regularly to allow his family a quality life away from the political scene. His preference to keep his comments within the rules (‘systematic preference’), and his willingness to call a mis-statement what it is (his overall urgency and moderate generalizing counter-traits) adds a refined and diplomatic style to his otherwise social Outgoing nature. If he had the ‘innovative’ problem-solving style, he would never be referenced as ‘vanilla’. The other three candidates most likely have this innovative style and the polarization that goes along with that approach to decision-making.
His role in the Administration would be strongest in external relations, praising and encouraging others – whether in their work and tasks or in their dealings with other world leaders - and working to bring factions together. The wider his audience, the better he’ll relate and represent his nation and party. The more difficult assignments would be in high-conflict and adversarial situations where he is ‘cut off’ from communications with Advisors or the President. He definitely prefers a positive environment and approach to dealing with conflict and differences of opinions.
Culturally, Biden’s style is much like the stereotypic open and friendly American who at times comes across as not ‘deep enough’ because of his desire to keep things on a happy note. His networking and penchant for ‘working within the system’ typifies his systematic approach to problem-solving. This style is especially appreciated in urban, more people-sophisticated settings.
John McCain
Presidential Candidate, Republican Party
John McCain is a survivor. As a POW he survived circumstances that would have destroyed most humans. He has a resilience that is admired by virtually all. John McCain has a natural leadership style, albeit a bit of a rogue. He is not known for his academic achievements and even boasts of these ‘difficulties’, common to the Controlling-generalizing combination. These are the students who are just not interested in doing an assignment, ‘just because teacher said so’, but rather when it makes sense to them. He engages around a few key issues and works tirelessly and with abandon in those areas. Other areas are ‘details’ and will not hold his attention. Hence, he will probably not be consistent in these areas since they are outside his focus. He may be quick to accept a trusted or executive summary recommendation in areas outside his focus, but not on the issues for which he is passionate.
When he is passionate about something, he can be extraordinarily persuasive, reaching out and doing the networking required to educate others to his way of thinking. His grasp of specifics may not be impressive, but his overall persona instills in others a solid confidence in his abilities. If too many of the ‘other’ issues are brought up and he does not have the opportunity to present his few areas of passion, he may step back and regroup. This is especially true when the issues are personally sensitive or include the possibility of having to go back on his word. He is not someone who would deal well with personal, public embarrassment or surprises. His reaction might be to deflect attention back onto the person bringing up the issue as ‘their fault or problem’, not his. He is likely to be tougher when challenged, not weaker.
His Administration would be characterized by fast, not necessarily planned, actions that would come from his pool of life experiences. To some, he would be a ‘hot reactor’, to others, a ‘quick, decisive, decision-maker.’ His love of innovation and changing long-standing structures will no doubt offer efficiencies, as well as the probability of throwing out more than may be desirable… only to later re-think and try to bring back what he had just removed. As long as his advisors can offer him thoroughly screened proposals, he’ll be able to run the government as his style is very adept in closely controlled, entrepreneurial situations. Culturally speaking, McCain’s style is typically American – the free, bold, independent spirit, not hung up on details and making mistakes, all the while fighting for what he feels is the ‘right’ thing to do. John McCain brings back the ‘rugged individualist’ persona: someone who is highly responsible for himself, but won’t be bound by the rules of society. The question is whether more tearing down of the federal infrastructure in economically tough-times is precisely what the bureaucracy needs or if it is taking a good thing too far.
Barack Obama
Presidential Candidate, Democratic Party
Barack Obama has a style that is creative, persevering, strategically analytical, strong on people-insight and observation skills, and is adept at developing one-on-one relationships naturally and well. His style is warm, but not effervescent or ebullient. The combination of the Controlling and Relaxed styles gives him his thoughtful speech pattern, keen listening skills and high-level perspective of a larger community. Being a ‘community organizer’ is the most natural thing for Barack Obama and how he performs in the Presidency would mirror this style: he would create networks, build relationships and cautiously implement change.
Barack’s strongly private side reflects a preference towards the introspective counter-trait. These individuals may not be as overtly ‘warm’ as those with stronger ‘Outgoing’ traits. He is most compelling when the facts are on the table and he has had time to review and mull over ‘what makes the most sense’ based on the data. The preferred self-reference allows him to do ‘the right thing’, even when there are no personal benefits. It is easier for him to work tirelessly towards lofty goals, such as a national health care plan than to solve a current staff conflict. He would likely prefer that those less lofty issues simply go away, as do most folks with introspective-Relaxed styles.
Barack, like McCain, has a survivor style – he is just quieter about it than McCain. Obama is likely to internally process any anger rather than say the first upset comment he feels. If Obama holds things in too long or they get completely out of control, the public will be surprised at the passion and ‘fight’ behind his convictions and his dedication toward ‘righting the wrongs’ that have been committed. When pushed, he will speak up and out against those trying to abuse power or are otherwise being arrogant, which is a key Relaxed style’s pet peeve.
Culturally, Barack has a style that appeals to more intellectually-oriented individuals. This style is more common in Europe and Asia than in US politics or the stereotypic aggressive, street-smart American. This might explain a lot of the global-appeal Obama has and why he is being ‘framed’ as sophisticated. The Controlling-Relaxed-introspective style has a difficult time making an easy, warm, approachable first impression.
Sarah Palin
Vice Presidential Candidate, Republican Party
Sarah Palin comes into the race as an entrepreneurial, charismatic, big picture politician. With her passion for risk-tasking and quickness to speak -- whether she has a grasp of the topic or not -- she has the most predictable of the Presidential ticket personality styles. This also tends to indicate that she might radically change her opinion or stance on an issue to suit whatever image she feels is appropriate in that timeframe. The equally Controlling and Outgoing styles are characteristic of a charismatic leader. These are individuals who not only are comfortable taking control and making decisions, but of influencing and knowing what people want. The generalizing and urgent traits pair together for entrepreneuring and a quick rise to getting things done. It is not unusual that there are casualties in the wake of individuals with Controlling – urgent and generalizing styles. The Outgoing style with the admitted ‘pit bull’ instinct will move people into or out of her inner circle, based on how well they are helping her achieve her goal.
Because of the charismatic and influencing traits of this style, these individuals are extraordinary and out of the normal range of personality. Depending on the individual’s personal value system, which becomes very important to understand—this is a style that may create great ‘good’ or is sociopathic. As more information is revealed about Palin’s personal life and her motives, the better we can judge how she would likely perform as a top executive representative of the US.
People find the urgency, drive and passion of her story appealing. Although Palin has the charm to express a compelling story, logical sequences and facts are not ‘top of mind’ for generalizing individuals. When pressed for specifics, especially about her personal life or past ‘questionable judgment/decisions’, she would predictably speak in bold, highly generalized terms, using sound-bite allegations or blame to deflect accountability. At a later and less public time, she would be more inclined to discuss matters openly and calmly, being more conciliatory; she has been a straight-shooter in public office, confessing when she did the wrong thing, given time and distance.
Her style matches the culture of the historical/stereotypical Wild, Wild West and the reputation that Americans have developed abroad as loud, fun, worldly-naïve and aggressive people. The Outgoing-Controlling, urgent and generalizing combination personality typically imposes their will on others, using force of sanction, favors, charm and overstating their case to persuade people to their side. This style can be great in running a start-up organization or company, but when this style has broad power, performing due-diligence is paramount for the electorate. When not wisely advised, this style can turn into a nefarious persona.
In summary, the overriding question in this year’s election is not “who has the most experience in Washington.” There are numerous prior successful presidents with public service and a passionate dedication to building a better country, also without ‘Washington’ experience.
The question is whether the American people will treat the election as a personality contest (a la American Idol) as we have been known to do in prior elections. In these cases, the person with the most charisma and success at getting in the ‘the last word’ wins in the Electoral College strategic race.
That individual who wins the personality contest is usually the individual that is most like others who vote and whom others most wish to be like themselves.
By JoAn A Mann, MBA, GPHR – President and Founder, PREP Profile Systems, Inc.
PREP Profile Systems was founded in 1984 with a mission to transform the global workplace by increasing understanding and trust and to improve personal communications, motivation, and organizational productivity.PREP’s 5-minute personality survey was developed by JoAn Mann andDr. Robert (Samuel) Houston in 1984 is one of the premier assessments for non-biased, cross-cultural personality assessment.The PREP reports are now globally used by individuals and organizations for rapid insight into relationships, career matching, hiring, assessing individual stress levels, leadership, teamwork and coaching.
Try the survey for free and help us with our 2008 cross cultural update study! http://research.prep-profiles.com/