Abstract
Socioanalytic theory proposes that interpersonal behavior is organized around the dual motives of Getting Along and Getting Ahead. Although these motives are highly relevant to leadership, leadership research lacks an empirically validated framework that maps leadership-relevant personality characteristics onto these fundamental motives. This paper introduces the Socioanalytic Leadership Circumplex (SLC), a model based on scales from the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI) and Hogan Development Survey (HDS), and tests whether leadership-relevant personality characteristics align with a circumplex structure defined by socioanalytic dimensions. Across three studies, we evaluated the structural, convergent, and criterion validity of the SLC using independent samples and complementary analytic approaches.
Study 1 established structural validity through confirmatory circumplex modeling, supporting a quasi-circumplex with distinct octants. Study 2A approximated this structure in a new sample and provided evidence of convergent validity through associations with observer-rated personality traits. Study 2B further replicated this pattern in an organizational sample and provided criterion validity evidence through systematic associations between SLC styles and 360-degree ratings of leadership effectiveness.
Overall, the findings support the SLC as a coherent and empirically grounded framework for organizing leadership-relevant personality characteristics along the dimensions of Getting Along and Getting Ahead. The SLC advances leadership research by integrating socioanalytic theory with circumplex models of interpersonal behavior to better understand how personality shapes leadership style, interpersonal reputation, and leadership effectiveness.
•Introduces a leadership circumplex based on socioanalytic motives.•Integrates bright and dark personality dimensions into a single model.•Empirically aligns observer-rated Big Five traits with the leader circumplex.•Validates the model against observed behaviors related to leadership effectiveness.