Lately I have been thinking about how personality contributes to leadership. I'm not speaking of personality types such as sanguine, melancholoy, etc. Instead, I'm wondering if there might not be a specific personality type for leaders (and, therefore, one for followers, and one more for those who are basically clueless).

If there is a personality type: "Leader" then, is it the type which simply is (e.g. sanguine, melancholoy, etc) or is it one which can be acquired. How does one acquire it. Obviously training in leadership principles can make one more aware of what the personality type looks like, however, I am coming to the conclusion that actually acquiring the personality of Leader hinges on two factors:

1. Choose to participate. Leaders participate in every process of which they are a part. You could sooner keep a duck from quacking than to keep a leader from participating. It is part of who they are. I remember when I choose to start participating. I was in a college class and I knew if I didn't participate, I would fall asleep. I became active not only in that class but in every class and that choice has become my nature.

2. Choose to take responsibility. Leaders initiate taking responsibility. They take responsibility for group functions. They take responsibility and process it in a way which benefits the group as a whole.

I haven't refined these concepts yet but I believe that all the other data about leadership may hinge more on these two factors than be the answers themselves.