Leadership and Personality: The Heart of How We Lead

The most effective leadership starts with one thing…understanding people.

Too often, we focus on strategy, systems, and performance metrics while forgetting that leadership is deeply human. Our personalities, communication styles, and stress responses shape every interaction we have. When things get tough, we are not just managing tasks…we are also managing people’s emotions, including our own. That’s when our authentic personality steps forward.

Each of us has core personality drivers that influence how we lead, connect, and handle stress. Developed by Dr. Kristine Medyanik, the Wayz to Lead assessment and approach to leadership reflection can give you insight into…well, you. Which way do you think you lead?

• My Way – results-driven, pushes harder under pressure.
• Right Way – values structure, rules, and clear expectations.
• Fun Way – brings energy and optimism, sometimes to avoid discomfort.
• Nice Way – seeks harmony, sometimes at the cost of honesty.

None of these are bad and we all have a percentage of each of them present (usually). When leaders understand their own tendencies and the tendencies of their team, they gain the power to respond with awareness instead of reaction.

That awareness is what separates effective leaders from reactive ones. Understanding our personalities as leaders isn’t just about self-awareness—it’s about shaping workplaces where authenticity, trust, and collaboration thrive. When we know ourselves better, we create spaces where others can do the same and that’s where real leadership begins.