Day 4: Why Some New Leaders Feel More Confident than Others
It all comes down to the Assertive versus Turbulent personality traits
Coming Up Today
Why confidence feels so different from one new leader to the next
How the Assertive vs. Turbulent personality trait shapes the experience – the strengths and the blind spot of each side
A simple action to try this week, tailored to your side of the scale
When I first stepped into leadership, I falsely assumed that confidence was a prerequisite. I figured everyone else who’d been promoted into management had walked in with a steady, quiet certainty about themselves. I was just waiting for mine to arrive.
It took me a while to realize that some people, like me, build confidence by doing the role. We don’t walk in with it.
And it’s largely the Assertive vs. Turbulent personality trait scale that shapes how confident you feel stepping into leadership.
Today, on Day 4 of this 5-Day New Leader Challenge, we’re digging into that A-T personality trait scale and looking at the strengths each side brings, the blind spots to watch out for, and one reframe to help new leaders thrive.
As a reminder, here’s where we are in the challenge so far:
Day 4: Why Some New Leaders Feel More Confident than Others (You Are Here)
Day 5: Knowing Who You’re Leading
What is the Assertive vs. Turbulent Trait Scale?
The Assertive vs. Turbulent trait scale refers to the fifth and final personality trait in the 16Personalities framework – the -A or -T at the end of your four-letter type.
It’s the trait most directly tied to how you handle self-doubt, feedback, and the gap between who you are right now and who you think you should be.
Assertive personality types tend to be self-assured and even-keeled. They don’t dwell on setbacks as much. They likely aren’t replaying minor conversations in their heads at 11pm. For the most part, they tend to feel internally settled, even when the external world isn’t.
Turbulent personality types tend to feel things more intensely. Setbacks land harder. Feedback sticks. They replay conversations, second-guess decisions, and feel the gap between who they are and who they think they should be more often than their Assertive counterparts.
Before we go any further, I want to make one point very, very clear: neither trait is better or worse than the other.
As you’ll soon see, both come with strengths – and foibles.
Where do you fall?
For new leaders, where you fall on this Assertive-Turbulent trait scale shapes your experience of the role in really specific ways – so knowing your tendency is the first step to working with it rather than against it.
If you’re not sure whether you’re Assertive or Turbulent, our free personality test will tell you – just check the last letter that comes after your four-letter type.
