Transformational leadership and the big five personality traits of counselor educators

ABSTRACT

This study examined the association between Big Five personality and counselor educators’ transformational leadership style. Findings indicate that all five personality traits were significant predictors. Transformational leaders were characterized by a low score on Neuroticism and high scores on Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Openness to Experience were the strongest predictors. This study did not find gender or racial/ethnic differences. Implications for counselor education are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Transformational leadership
• big five personality
• counselor education
• gender
• race/ethnicity

Acknowledgments

The author would like to convey her sincere gratitude to Dr. Christine Suniti Bhat, Full Professor at Ohio University for her direction and guidance during this project.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.