A study of introverts and their perception of informal leadership and introversion

Jimenez Salazar, Juan Pablo (2024) A study of introverts and their perception of informal leadership and introversion. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Personality has been studied for centuries, and over the years, researchers have developed multiple tests to learn about individuals’ personalities. Shahzad, et al (2021) define personality traits as characteristics and qualities that all individuals possess and make them unique, and also mention the Five Factor Model as a well-accepted system that identifies five major facets of personality: agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience.

One of the most evident facets is extroversion, statistics suggest that between 20% and up to 50% of the global population are introverts. There have been many studies regarding extraversion and leadership, mainly in enterprises and corporations, but there is limited knowledge about introversion and leadership, and even less about introversion and informal leadership.

This study focuses on perceptions of introverted individuals who perform an informal leadership role. Identifying aspects of introversion in informal leadership can help introverts learn from what others have done to exercise leadership roles. It is also beneficial for organisations to develop better selection processes that fit the real need avoiding unnecessary economic and human costs. This last aspect is key, according to Leino (2022), the nature of how organisations work is changing, moving away from hierarchical leadership structures to a more collaborative setting where informal leaders play a crucial role.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Cleary-Gaffney, Michael UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > Leadership H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Leadership H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Performance Management > Motivation H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > Industrial Psychology > Psychology of Leadership
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Science in Management
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2025 12:14
Last Modified:	12 Aug 2025 12:14
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/8512

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