Assertive Behaviors and Leadership

Recent research from Stanford's Business School indicates that charisma, intelligence, drive, and conscientiousness are some of the characteristics that make a leader.

But what is it that can break a leader? Is it merely the lack of such qualities?

No, says organizational behavior expert Frank Flynn.

His research has found that the greatest identifiable trait that can hold someone back from becoming a great leader is being too assertive—or not assertive enough.

• Excessive or inadequate assertiveness was the No. 1 issue listed in the weakness column when it came to evaluating individuals’ leadership potential.
• It appeared as a clear factor in weakness comments more than lack of intelligence, conscientiousness, and charisma combined.