The factor that most determines leadership success is also the factor over which leaders can exercise the most control. This factor is the leader’s own personality and related interpersonal skills. Leaders proficient in these areas adeptly manage their moods and emotions to stay continuously focused and motivated despite enormous pressures. And they are masterful in building relationships, communicating, persuading and inspiring.

Mastery of these personality skills is typically not innate, but is learned. It requires a sophisticated and precise understanding of oneself – and of others. Yet most leaders labor on the basis of incomplete and even inaccurate appraisals of themselves, of others and of how to interact effectively. As a result, they risk committing costly errors.

Wise leaders realize that each one of their strengths is also a potential liability. Identifying and optimally managing these personality factors requires sophisticated consultation. Yet, as leaders enter the executive ranks, access to quality feedback about their personalities often becomes even more limited.

Basic behavioral instruction, without core insights into one’s personality, is inadequate for executives and other senior level leaders. Such leaders already “get” much of what they should be doing. The answer is not more “coaching” on simplistic behavioral prescriptions, but a greater understanding of the central personality themes that drive their behavior.

The discipline of psychology provides leaders a wide range of exquisitely powerful tools for understanding and optimizing their behavior. The result is sharply enhanced interpersonal effectiveness and, ultimately, a profound competitive advantage.

Psychology and its allied disciplines show that all individuals are equipped with four essential capacities: The powers of intellect, passion, emotion and spirit (inspiration). Specific and precise “roadmaps” are available for mastering each of them. Such mastery taps into the fundamental energies of the person, unleashing vast amounts of potential.

Leaders who take accountability for their personal growth realize this fosters the development of their colleagues and of the organization as a whole. Accordingly, such leaders take on their growth with resolve, acutely aware of its ramifications for personal and organizational success.