What makes a leader? Trait emotional intelligence and Dark Tetrad traits predict transformational leadership beyond HEXACO personality factors

Over the past several decades, transformational leadership theory and research have made considerable contributions in addressing factors relevant for leader effectiveness. Trait emotional intelligence (TEI), dark personality traits, and HEXACO personality factors correlate significantly with transformational leadership. However, due to overlap among measures, there remains a need for incremental analysis. This study investigates how TEI and Dark Tetrad traits predict transformational leadership beyond HEXACO personality factors. Participants (195 women, 104 men) between the ages of 17 and 36 years (M-age = 18.44, SD = 1.45) completed self-report measures of transformational leadership, HEXACO personality factors, TEI, and Dark Tetrad traits. Regression analyses revealed that HEXACO personality factors provide significant predictive value for transformational leadership. TEI, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy also accounted for additional variance in transformational leadership scores beyond HEXACO personality factors. This study supports the use of TEI and dark personality traits in addition to HEXACO personality factors when appraising transformational leadership potential. These findings have implications for screening and selection of applicants for leadership positions across a variety of contexts (business, military, education, athletic coaching, etc.).

Automated summary

Transformational leadership theory and research, over the past decades, have contributed significantly to addressing factors for leader effectiveness. This study explores the predictive value of trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and dark personality traits, beyond HEXACO personality factors, in transformational leadership. The findings suggest that TEI and dark personality traits provide additional variance in transformational leadership scores, supporting their inclusion in the evaluation of leadership potential.