Abstract
Authentic leadership has positively impacted organisational behaviour, helping companies become more sustainable and strategic. In the short term, it boosts team morale and motivates employees to work harder, increasing productivity. Authentic leadership also helps avoid scandals and ethical issues, strengthen partnerships with stakeholders and improve profits. It channels human energy towards better performance and efficiency. This study explored the relationship between personality traits measured by the SAPI and the authentic leadership style measured by ALQ in South Africa. The sample consisted of 186 participants with at least three years of work experience and two years of leadership experience. A quantitative research methodology was adopted, and Pearson correlations and stepwise multiple regression were utilised to determine the relationships between personality factors and authentic leadership factors. The study results proved that a positive relationship exists between the SAPI factors of conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and positive social relational disposition, and these SAPI factors predict authentic leadership. On the other hand, neuroticism showed a negative relationship. These findings accentuate the vitality of personality assessments in predicting authentic leadership characteristics such as transparency, balanced processing, and self-awareness, thereby implying that the cultivation of these personality traits can enhance leadership development by making ethical decisions within organisations. This study adds value to the body of knowledge on authentic leadership in South Africa and provides valuable insight into the importance of Indigenous personality assessments in leadership studies.