Introverted leaders: The long term health consequences of counter-dispositional behaviour
The research investigates the extent to which introverted managers, whose position requires them to act in a counter-dispositional manner (i.e. extraverted), suffer health consequences not experienced by extraverted managers. The research also investigates factors offering protection from such health consequences for introverts.
The physical and psychological health of organisational leaders is important to organisational performance. In this program of research, we investigate a possible, unexplored, major cause of poor health in leaders: the necessity for many leaders to act counter-dispositionally (i.e. in a way not consistent with their natural dispositions) in order to achieve business goals. Across three studies (comprising both experimental and field techniques), we use multiple studies to assess the extent to which introverted leaders are more likely to suffer ill-effects over time and identify a range of factors expected to buffer or protect such leaders from negative health outcomes.
PPRG contact: Professor Peter O’Connor; Professor Nerina Jimmieson