A meta-analysis on the general factor of personality and its relation with leadership outcomes: Evidence from mainland China

Abstract In the past decades, many studies have confirmed that specific personality traits correlate such that a general factor of personality (GFP) emerges. In order to test whether the characteristics of this general factor are universal, thorough tests in various cultures are required. Accordingly, we conducted a meta-analysis on the GFP in mainland China. After testing the sensitivity of the GFP, correction for attenuation, testing for samples' geographical distribution, types of samples, and types of questionnaires, we confirmed the GFP in the population of mainland China (N = 30,863, K = 53). To further examine the nature of the GFP, we tested whether it is indicative of general social effectiveness by studying the associations of the GFP with (1) leadership effectiveness and (2) abusive supervision. The results implied that high-GFP leaders indeed work more effectively (r = 0.17) and were less abusive (−0.20), as rated by their subordinates. This study among Chinese samples adds to the literature by showing the consistency of the GFP in a large Eastern country.