The Psychological Assessment of Political Leadersdecide whether a leader will challenge or respect constraints. Leaders
who are high on both traits work to take charge of any situation in
which they find themselves and to test the limits of what is possible;
those who are low in both traits perceive the importance of working
within the constraints in their environments to build consensus and
to accommodate constituents' interests.
Clinton's scores on these traits indicate that he is moderate in
comparison to other leaders. He is like these leaders; he does not
stand out on either characteristic from leaders in his region or around
the globe. Such moderate scores suggest the leader will generally
respect constraints but under certain circumstances can challenge
what appear to be inappropriate or unfounded limitations on his
role. Most of the time leaders with moderate scores like Clinton's
will work within the parameters they perceive to structure their
political environment. Because of the limitations within which they
perceive they have to work, building consensus and achieving com-
promise are important skills for a politician to have and to exercise.
Such leaders are more likely to be reactive than to take the initia-
tive; they want to wait to see how the situation will probably play
out before acting. They prefer to let others take the lead and respon-
sibility for anything too daring and out of the ordinary; they want to
lead in contexts where there is at least a 50 percent or better chance
of success or where compromise is possible. Leaders like Clinton will
want to test out their ideas before making decisions—to "run ideas
up the flagpole and see who salutes them." Polling data, particular
constituents' opinions, and discussions with affected groups are
important in providing the basis for knowing what will work. Such
cautious behavior makes it possible to blame others if something
goes wrong but also reduces the likelihood of action unless it will
already receive support.
As will become evident in the discussion when we contextualize
Clinton's profile, there are some times when leaders with his scores
will challenge the constraints put in their path. Threats to policies
that undergird their leadership positions, what appear to them to be
unfair charges, and national crises are some situations in which lead-
ers with moderate scores on the belief that they can control what
happens and on the need for power will be more likely to take charge
and become highly manipulative in moving toward their goals. The