Scientists point to the most important trait of leaders. Not everyone has that

The study consists of a series of seven experiments involving about 3.5 thousand people. Participants. In each experiment, groups of college students and working adults were asked to read about or interact with people with different levels of self-control. This determines the extent to which people act in a way that is consistent with their goals.

In one experiment, working adults were asked to imagine a scenario in which a colleague whose goal was to get fit was offered candy. Then the imaginary friend eats a large piece of candy or abstains from candy altogether.

Participants rated that people who abstained from eating sweets were more suitable for high-level roles due to their self-control.

“What mattered to participants’ evaluations was whether leaders acted in accordance with the goals they set for themselves,” said Pamela Smith, assistant professor of management at the Rady School of Management and co-author of the study. This pattern applies to a variety of goals in our experiments, including saving money, staying healthy, and reading books.

In all seven experiments, people with higher self-control were perceived as stronger and better suited to important roles. Conversely, individuals were viewed as less influential and less fit for positions of influence when they failed to achieve ambitious goals, even if their performance was the same as that of their peers.

In one experiment, a group of undergraduate students was asked to interact with a group of people who had set different reading goals. Some set an ambitious goal of reading 200 pages per week, while others set a more moderate goal of reading 50 pages. All subjects read the same amount – 100 pages – per week, but those who did not meet their goal were seen as having less strength compared to those who exceeded their lower initial expectations.

Scientists say these findings could help people in management positions become better leaders and gain support and acceptance from employees.

“To motivate their employees, organizations often want employees to set stretch goals that are challenging and difficult to achieve,” said Shuang Wu, a doctoral student at the Rady School and co-author of the study.

– But it turns out that setting an ambitious goal and not achieving it makes a person appear less influential. Shuang Wu concludes that it is better to set an easier goal and exceed it.

The text was published in the American edition of Newsweek magazine. Title, introduction and abbreviations from the Newsweek Polska editorial office.