“The phlegmatic personality is described as water; accessible to all but very slow and sluggish in action”.

The predominant phlegmatic leader is the most passive and less active leader of the four basic temperament types. Just as the name implies, this leader is slow and sluggish like a phlegm; for he always takes his time to do something, and he is sometimes not just motivated to act or do anything at all. However, he is usually meticulously-patient and efficient in what he does especially when given the right motivation. In the temperament theory of the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the phlegmatic personality is described as water.

His idiosyncrasies can be likened to a viscous liquid that pours slowly and sluggishly, and could remain in a steady state situation unless a force is applied to make it move or a path is created to make it flow. Regardless of his calm, peaceful and, non-abrasive leadership disposition, unless he surrounds himself with other people who are more vibrant and active than himself in leadership or possesses choleric as his secondary temperament in very substantial amount, his leadership style will be very weak and ineffective.

For majority of his natural weaknesses as a leader often whittles down the potency and effectiveness of his leadership. Even though some of his innate strengths and qualities are enough to encourage a very good working relationship with those working for and with him, and also in maintaining a peaceful and egalitarian society. Therefore in this post, we want to take a look at some of the main weaknesses and strengths of predominant phlegmatic leader in leadership, so we will be able to preempt what his leadership will look like.

**Major Weaknesses Of The Phlegmatic Leader In Leadership:**

The natural weaknesses of a predominant phlegmatic leader impacts negatively on his leadership responsibilities particularly in the area of giving direction for his subordinates to follow, and also when he is confronted with a challenge that he needs to be very active and vibrant in leading the way to surmounting that challenge. Unless he is surrounded by people who frequently motivates and encourage him to take action or he delegates responsibility to others, his weaknesses will usually be much more glaring and visible, and will always tend to overwhelm his strengths and qualities. It is basically for this reason that we want to look at some of these weaknesses that tends to scuttle the predominant phlegmatic’s success in leadership.

**Indecision:**

Indecision is one of the major weakness of a predominant phlegmatic personality. It’s often difficult for him to make decisions for himself or for others when the onus or responsibility is on him to make it. For himself, fear of making the wrong decision that will result in failure to achieve his expectations often hinders him from being prompt in taking decisions for himself. Consequently, he usually seeks the advice and support of everyone he relates with before he could decide to stick to the ones that tends to support or satisfy his preconceived thoughts and desires.

Even when he perhaps had taken a decision, it is not uncommon for him to rescind and change it as circumstances change because like his predominant sanguine counterpart, he seems to be irresolute. For having some else maybe a friend or close associate, give him reasons that better tickles his fancy, or criticize and point out little grey areas in his earlier resolve gets him easily confused that he will be willing to change his earlier decision. A predominant phlegmatic personality changes his mind very easily, and he is very unstable when it comes to deciding on something, especially if he has so many advisers. However, he could be very bull-headed and stubborn in holding on very tenaciously to his decisions to the point of unreasonableness if pushed to the wall or made to feel that he is involved in an unfriendly contest.

Therefore as a leader, his inability to be decisive when it matters makes him a reactive rather than a proactive leader. Things could go from bad to worse and even get bastardized before he will begin to seek for solution or advice on what to do to remedy the situation. His penchant for getting the support and approval of everyone especially his close friends and associates, and also for all his subordinates to be on the same page with him, makes him unable to take and stick to his decision even when that responsibility is placed on him. Sometimes, the fear of taking responsibility for his failure, and avoid resultant criticisms also makes him shy away or become reticent of taking prompt decisions. If he is smart enough, he may decide to delegate that decision-making responsibility to someone else, and watch from the sideline.

The indecisiveness of the predominant phlegmatic leader often gets his followers and subordinates confused, and makes it difficult for them to know where he stands especially when they require his approval to proceed with carrying out their task. Therefore, if you are working with or under a predominant phlegmatic boss, you must understand that he is very slow in decision making. He is the most indecisive leader of the four basic temperament types. Hence, you must learn to be patient with him. Most times, being more vibrant and active than he is, makes him consider you to be an important resource to the success of his leadership. Thus, delegating most of his responsibilities to you is not uncustomary for him.

**Fear:**

The phlegmatic temperament is closely associated with fear, and it is one of the main weakness that any predominant phlegmatic personality usually battles with. Next to the phlegmatic in having a challenge with fear is the melancholy. This is not to say that typical sanguine and choleric do not have problem with fear, they do as humans; for no human being is immuned to fear. However, while these two extroverts naturally have the least predisposition to fear but are usually more predisposed to anger, typical phlegmatics and melancholies are usually more predisposed to fear than anger. But among the four temperament types, phlegmatics are the most fearful and timid. And among the twelve blends of temperament, a Phlegmatic-melancholy or Phlegmel personality blend will have more challenge with this natural human frailty or weakness.

For the predominant melancholy, self-doubt and lack of confidence in his capabilities are what mostly induce fear in him, while for the predominant phlegmatic personality, he usually fears so many things. Such as; fear of the unknown, fear of facing pressure, fear of being criticized, fear of taking responsibility, fear of leaving his comfort zone to an unfamiliar territory, and ultimately fear of failing. I think naturally, he’s got the least secretion of the adrenaline fight hormone into his bloodstream, consequently making him to be more willing to take to flight when confronted with a challenge rather than fight.

Even though he may initially try to cover or conceal his fear tendencies, and perhaps make up excuses for his fearful disposition, but when pushed too hard and he seems not to have any support or defense, it doesn’t take long for him to be overwhelmed by fear, and subsequently capitulate under pressure. As a leader, he usually exhibits and displays fear and lack of courage unwittingly. For instance; the fear of failing when he is trying to embark on a completely new project or program, fear of delving into an unfamiliar territory, taking responsibility for his actions, and also in facing pressure and criticisms. It’s basically for this reason that he likes to delegate responsibility to others, and sometimes abdicate from his leadership role and responsibility.

The predominant phlegmatic leader will rarely go to a territory he is not so familiar with, or places he feels that he will likely be criticized or not accorded recognition and warm reception. Inferiority complex could also make him cringe, and act  so timid and unpopular when in the midst of other leaders he believes are more powerful and influential than himself. He will rather not go to such places, but will prefer to remain in his comfort zone where he feels relaxed and comfortable.

Similarly, fear of getting himself into the controversy of not being in the good books of his subordinates and staffs could also make the predominant phlegmatic leader avoid initiating any kind of disciplinary action against them even when their misconduct is very glaring. Since he likes to please, and be in the good records of everyone, and avoid having a seemingly complicated relationship with others, it is not uncommon for him to overlook or trivialize some of the misconduct of his subordinates, or become very indecisive about punishing them.

Even in his family, a predominant phlegmatic father or mother will seldom wield the stick, punish, or be deliberate about instilling any form of discipline in their kids just because of the fear of getting him or herself emotionally hurt, and the kids seeing them to be wicked. As a result of this, their kids grow to become unruly, rude, and disrespectful to them since they were negligent in their child training responsibility. Therefore, the leadership style of a typical phlegmatic leader seems to encourage his staffs and subordinates to behave and do things the way they like, it encourages misconduct, complacency, negligence, and so little to no productivity since fear and indecision are the two main weaknesses that  makes his leadership look too weak and passive. In his leadership, things usually goes really bad and worse and almost become a public knowledge before the phlegmatic leader will be forced to take any drastic or decisive action.

**Uncharismatic:**

A predominant phlegmatic leader has unknowingly overtime proven to be the most uncharismatic leader. For his natural docility, indecisiveness, lack of motivation, and strong-will makes him less influential and clearly the most uncharismatic of the four basic temperament types. Naturally, introverts are rarely influential, and they seldom command respect on a wider scale because they are usually inexpressive, not vivacious, and also unassertive as their extrovert counterparts.

However, some of them like those of the melancholy temperament could be somewhat quietly influential but more often than not on an individual or small group basis because of some of their natural strengths and capabilities that were earlier discussed. But a temperament like the phlegmatic is unarguably the least influential, and consequently the most uncharismatic of the four temperaments because he is often the most laid-back, unmotivated, and reluctant person whose actions and activities are more often than not based on the principle of inertia and on Newton’s first law of motion.

Consequently, the predominant phlegmatic leader is no doubt the least influential and obviously the most uncharismatic leader. This leader lacks the capacity, in this context, the charismatic ability to influence and motivate his followers and subordinates to key into his goals and visions, work very tirelessly and doggedly for the actualization of his goals, or even make them to become more productive. He is the leader that is easily forgotten the moment his leadership duration expires because he made the least impact in leadership.

Even though he did so much and achieved a lot in leadership, but since he is usually very quiet and passive, and always like to delegate responsibility to other more outgoing lieutenants and perhaps use them to carry out majority of his task, he’s often not seen as the arrowhead and someone who calls the shot. Therefore, most of his achievements and accomplishments are rarely noticed or ascribed to him. Although some of his developmental strides may be appreciated by everyone but the typical phlegmatic leader is the most uncelebrated leader despite his congenial qualities.

Asides remembering him for his peaceful disposition, people-oriented leadership, and good working relationship with his staffs and subordinates, there’s really not so much people tends to remember about him because he is not an influential leader. Rarely is he in the forefront, or leading from the front, nor is he visibly active enough to suggest that he is in charge. His vice or deputy in many occasions is often much more influential and visibly active than him. Lack of charisma and being uncharismatic is for sure one of the main weakness of a highly predominant phlegmatic leader which often makes his staffs and subordinates become somewhat lackadaisical and complacent with their job, and also very unproductive.

**Lack Of Vision:**

Phlegmatic personalities are naturally unambitious, therefore lacks vision and foresight. Aiming very high and dreaming big is least on their priority list as long as they can achieve and accomplish the normal and common things others have also achieved or accomplished. But going the extra mile and working towards achieving extraordinary and remarkable things that not so many dare to, is usually an uphill task and almost an impossibility. It is basically for this reason that it is very difficult to find a successful entrepreneur or business mogul who is a predominantly phlegmatic. For the self-will, courage, and vision to embark on that journey is obviously lacking. His desire to always walk  in the already known and treaded paths makes him less creative and visionary as a leader.

You can always count on a predominant phlegmatic leader to be very efficient in maintaining all of the existing structures, projects and programs he met on ground coming into leadership and continuing with them to the final stages, but it is often difficult for him to conceive and build or initiate the structure or project. He could be in charge of completing or supervising a very gigantic or monumental project and achieve its full completion, but you can be sure that the conception and hatching of the project is not his brainchild. He is a good manager and administrator but rarely a good creator and initiator. Lack of vision has undoubtedly hindered so many phlegmatic leaders from achieving very remarkable and extraordinary things in leadership.

Being so relaxed and comfortable in his comfort zone having attained a rather more inconsequential success height, or had had some little achievements and accomplishments often makes him feel very contented. And as a result, have himself confined to his comfort zone even when he has the opportunity to achieve and accomplish more and surpass all expectations. He is that ordinary leader who does what is expected of him, and rarely does he exceed expectations. He is also the most predictable leader, next to him is the typical sanguine leader who may have vision but his vision seems to be so lackluster, without any adequate plan of actualizing it.

Conclusively, the predominant phlegmatic leader is the least visionary of the four basic temperament type leader whose comfortability and contentment in his little accomplishments, fear of getting into uncharted territories, and failures, do not allow him to look beyond his present success to see if there are greater things to be accomplished. Consequently, do not expect him to personally conceive and build the highest skyscraper in the world, construct the longest bridge, or invest in a multi-million dollar project or investment opportunity as a leader when he believes that the money can be saved or maybe be used to service existing infrastructures.

**Weak-willed:**

It is not impossible for someone who battles with fear and indecision to be weak-willed. For the natural self-will to take decision and stand by it regardless of any pressure, unfavorable circumstances, or any allurements is lacking. Naturally speaking, it is rare for a predominant phlegmatic personality to have a mind of his own and be very resolute in doing something based on his personal conviction and dispassionate assessment of things without any kind of interference or subtle allurements from people, particularly from his admirers, friends, and close associates. And even when he attempts to prove that he is self-willed and could take personal decisions, majority of his decisions is often short-lived, rarely stands in the end, or stand the test of time because he lacks the self-determination and resoluteness  to stick to his will without wavering and pandering to the sentiments and opinions of others.

For the predominant phlegmatic personality, lack of independency of thoughts and actions is sometimes responsible for his inability to achieve personal success and get accolades for his initiatives, since he finds it so convenient and easy to always pander to the ideas, opinions, and sentiments of others. Consequently, you will more often than not find him being irresolute in his resolutions and frequently changing his mind about what he had earlier resolved to do. As a leader, the phlegmatic panders towards almost every idea, opinions, or sentiments expressed by his close associates and confidants, and he tends to run with those that aligned with his sentiments and emotions while jettisoning his personal discretion, or taking a dispassionate look at things.

This leader panders to the sentiments and opinions of almost everyone who is close to him, and more often than not acts based on those sentiments, rather than allowing his own personal conviction and discretion guide his actions and activities. His desire to please everyone, be in everyone’s good books, and be seen to be without any fault or get the compliments of his followers and subordinates as the most loved leader, and avoid being looked at as offensive makes it difficult for him to be self and strong-willed in his character.

His weaknesses seems to be the direct opposite of the natural strengths of a typical choleric leader, and his strengths are clearly the direct opposite of weaknesses of a typical choleric leader. Being so weak-willed is one of the major weakness that the typical phlegmatic leader must fight constantly if he wants to be an effective leader.

**Credulous:**

The easygoing lifestyle, simplicity, and naivety of the predominant phlegmatic personality makes him susceptible to believing at face value everything he is told, particularly by someone who seems to be acting very nice and friendly to him. And this of course also predisposes him to being so gullible that he could easily be taken advantage of. No other temperament swallows hook, line, and sinker and takes to heart everything he hears about something or someone especially when told by someone that panders towards him, and if majority of those things which he heard seem to fuel his sentiments and emotions or tends to give credence to his excuses more than a typical phlegmatic personality.

But quite unfortunately, majority of the things he’s told or hears and believes are more often than not half the truth or completely untrue. But since they’re coming from an admirer, a supposedly trusted ally, or someone who seem to always eulogize him, he doesn’t see the necessity of interrogating and adequately scrutinizing those informations before acting on them. No other temperament falls for fables and untrue stories more than a predominant phlegmatic especially if those stories coming from his close friends and admirers massages his ego and satisfies his emotions.

The desire of the phlegmatic personality to have as many people as possible on his side, and also get the compliments and accolades of everyone makes him to easily pander towards gossips, stories, and information brought to him by anyone, which are most times misleading, thus making him gullible. Asides the sanguine personality, the predominant phlegmatic is the least circumspect personality when it comes to choosing his acquaintances. Consequently, he frequently and easily falls for sycophancy and subterfuge. As a leader, there is no other leader that is usually more surrounded by sycophants and praise singers much more than a predominant phlegmatic leader. More often than not, he is surrounded by those who cannot look him in the face and tell him the truth if that truth will diminish his ego, make him somewhat unpopular, or if it is incongruous to his selfish desires and emotional psyche.

Even though he may not be as clearly and physically domineering and assertive like the choleric leader, but by nature, he is inwardly egocentric, and surreptitiously domineering when he wants to assert his authority. Closing his eyes to the truth and shutting down all voices of reasoning that seems not to satisfy his ego or align with his emotional and sentimental reasoning is not uncommon for him. Those who are forthright enough to tell him that truth that is at variance to his preconceived thoughts or who refused to pander towards his sentiments, or disagree with what he wants are usually considered unfriendly. Like his sanguine counterpart, the typical phlegmatic leader is someone who loves to have people with and around him.

The more people that are with him, the more confident and comfortable he tends to become; he seldom stands alone. Thus, in his leadership, those who are very close to him, gives him attention, and are always in a fun and convivial mood in an ambience of camaraderie with him are usually his close allies, associates and confidants. It is often in a phlegmatic leaders’ leadership that some staffs, workers, or subordinates have more unfettered access to him, and are often more favored than others. For because of their ability to play the sychophancy game, sing his praises often, and of course, frequently create  a friendly ambience, makes it easier for them to always have their way with him.

It is also not uncommon for them to take advantage of his gullibility and curry undue favor from him through some illicit means such as; gossips and blackmail of other staffs and workers, which tends to make seamless and cordial working relationship with those who don’t seem to be playing the sychophancy game difficult. In a nutshell, the credulous nature of the predominant phlegmatic leader makes it difficult for him to know and distinguish between those who really mean well for him and his leadership, and those who are just after what they can get from him. It could also make him loose focus, or be carried away by the hyping and praise singing of those who often praise sing his little achievements in leadership.

**Fault Finding & Unwillingness To Accept His Fault:**

It is difficult to work with a predominant phlegmatic personality for a long time without him finding out some faults or oddities about you, so he can sufficiently convince and pride himself of being saintly and better than you are. No other temperament finds and looks out for the faults in others more than the typical phlegmatic. For his desire to appear saintly, faultless, and uncorrupt makes him find it so convenient and reassuring to quickly point out the weaknesses and oddities in others. He is very quick to point out your fault, but usually very reticent of accepting his own fault when he is confronted with it. Similarly, since he usually presents himself to others to be perfect and faultless, he often finds it hard to own up to his fault or take responsibility for his wrong doings even though it is very glaring.

As a leader, the typical phlegmatic leader is often advertised and decorated as incorruptible because he often presents and displays his outward nice and seemingly honest and personable qualities. Therefore, putting up a defense for himself and trying to shift the blame to others is not uncommon for him. He doesn’t hesitate to point out the faults of those working for and with him particularly those who do not closely relate and associate with him, thus criticizing them more often in private with his seeming close friends and allies is not uncommon for him. This leader likes to appear blameless and guiltless and will rarely take responsibility for his obvious failure or fault. He tends to make use of his natural cleverness and craftiness to defend himself and push the blame to others; for he cannot stand the resultant criticism and lambasting that follows his mistakes and wrongdoings, and the dent it will have on his self-acclaimed transparent image.

If you are working under a typical phlegmatic boss, do not expect too much accolades and eulogies from him, or try to make him feel that you are more saintly than he is. For he usually finds it very difficult to accept that someone else can be more faultless, guiltless, and uncorrupt than himself. Doing your job, while also creating a very warm and friendly close relationship with him could make him cover up or overlook all your faults and oddities. In conclusion, like I earlier stated, majority of the predominant phlegmatic leaders’ weaknesses in leadership are markedly opposite of the typical choleric leaders’ strengths. Obviously, while the innate strengths of the choleric leader makes him a very strong and effective leader, the natural weaknesses of the typical phlegmatic leader makes him a passive, weak, and ineffective leader. Having said that, let us finally consider some of the main natural strengths of typical phlegmatic leader in leadership.

**Major Strengths Of A Predominant Phlegmatic Leader In Leadership:**

As clearly stated earlier, majority of a predominant phlegmatic leaders’ innate strengths in leadership usually encourages a very peaceful working relationship not only with his staffs and subordinates, but also in ensuring peaceful coexistence that brings about an egalitarian society. The phlegmatic leader is the most calm and collected, gentle, congenial, and of course non-abrasive leader who poses no threats at all to those he is leading. He is rarely aggressive, hostile, or confrontational nor does he give pressure to anyone who is working for and with him.

He usually tries to avoid getting himself overly involved in the job description of his subordinates, or try to stalk them when they’re doing their jobs, but often allows them the time and space to do their job. Working with this leader is one of the most splendid and exhilarating thing you will experience and reminiscence because you’re seldom under pressure to perform. We shall now consider some of the main natural strengths of the typical phlegmatic leader in leadership which usually enables him to have less conflicts or conflagrations during his leadership duration.

**Peaceful And Congenial:**

The peaceful nature and congenial qualities of a predominant phlegmatic personality is incomparable to any of the four temperament types. His innate peaceful disposition, the friendly and respectful manner he approaches others often endears him to so many people. His desire to be in a warm, happy, and friendly mood with everyone makes him avoid whatever that could be a source of conflict between him and others. For he cannot bear or cope with the pressure and jitters of being in conflict and an uncordial relationship with someone. Regardless of all his shortcomings and oddities which he deliberately conceals, but he usually desires to be in a peaceful and warm relationship with others, often in a mood of conviviality.

As a leader, he detests rancorous and unharmonious relationship among those working for, and with him, and loves to be celebrated and decorated by all as the most peaceful and friendly leader. Hence, towing the path of peace during moments of disagreements and ensuring that peace is maintained is not uncommon for him. This leader will rather negotiate, bargain or persuade than go to war. Sometimes, letting go of his rights in order to achieve peace and good neighborliness is not beyond his ability. The predominant phlegmatic leader is often adorned as the most peaceful and congenial leader of the four basic temperament types because he is rarely aggressive, hostile, and confrontational, often maintaining his cool, calm and composure even in provocations.

He has the highest boiling point and very low volatility that he seldom boils nor becomes volatile. It is basically for this reason that so many people feels attracted to him, and his staffs and subordinates often feels so comfortable working for and with him, or  under his leadership. Therefore, being peaceful and congenial is one of the main  natural strength and quality of the typical phlegmatic leader that enables him to maintain a good working relationship with others, and have the most peaceful leadership duration.

**Meticulous-patience:**

No other temperament can be more meticulously-patient in the way he approaches and do his job more than a predominant phlegmatic personality. For his love and attraction for routines that rarely pose any challenge or difficulty makes him become very patient in taking his time to do a perfect and excellent job when assigned the task. This personality is very good in routines, or tasks that he is already used to, that does not make him overthink or overwork his brain.

He usually do this kind of jobs with very high efficiency because of his natural meticulous-patience. Therefore, as a leader, you can trust him to be highly efficient in carrying out his daily routine leadership roles and responsibilities without being so mechanical about it or adding other miscellaneous items that will compound his job. Consequently, he tries to make his staffs and subordinates work so effortlessly by creating a conducive environment for them to do their jobs without any kind of challenge or pressure.

This leader is perfectly suitable for any job or leadership role that requires doing practically the same thing always or focusing on a particular job description. Having his table compacted with different jobs he needs to attend to, frequently changing his tasks, or taking him to job specifications that he is very unfamiliar with, for which he will need to start getting used to, is usually a difficult mountain for him to climb. But when made to focus on a particular task or leadership role, you can be sure he will deliver and give his best because his innate meticulous-patience will be fully accentuated.

**Efficient-organized:**

The calm and collected nature of a typical phlegmatic personality plus his ability to be consistent in maintaining a particular habit or lifestyle for a very long time doubtlessly makes him the most efficient-organized of the four basic temperament types. The phlegmatic personality is the most consistent in his traits,  behavioral pattern, lifestyle, and mannerisms. And if perhaps he had formed a particular habit, learnt or thought to consistently do a particular thing in a particular way, it is usually very difficult for him to deviate from it.

Consequently, his consistency enables him to be very organized and efficient in whatever he does. No other person comes close to him in terms of appearing more organized, humble, and decorous in public places. Even though that may not exactly be the case for him in private since people seem to be his main source of motivation for being impeccable in what he does. Notwithstanding, this personality is highly organized, and he is usually passionate about having everything placed in their proper place and position.

You cannot get to his house without seeing things well arranged and organized, everything and everywhere rightly kept and tidied up. He rarely dresses shabbily nor flamboyantly, but often talks and dresses very moderately and decorously in any public appearance. It’s basically for this reason that he is often accorded respect and acceptance, and tends to be efficient in what he does. As a leader, the phlegmatic personality is no doubt the most efficient-organized leader whose consistency in his projects and programs, administrative duties, diligence and dedication to his routine duties usually makes him an efficient leader and also makes his followers, subordinates, and staffs to understand his leadership direction.

You can hardly go to the phlegmatic leaders’ office and find books, files, or correspondences scattered around especially if melancholy is his secondary temperament. They are usually well arranged and organized in a manner that he will have no difficulty accessing them. As a result of this, his job becomes more seamless and effortless that he does not struggle to achieve efficiency doing it. The efficient-organized nature of a phlegmatic leader makes him good at record keeping so much so that he can trace the least document and pull it up from where he kept it. He seem to have the best organized archive that’s often updated. Consequently, accountability and possessing the most transparent leadership records is not a difficult task for him to achieve.

**Good Management Ability:**

Unless other negativities had find their way into his life through some negative influence, the predominant phlegmatic personality naturally possess the best management qualities and abilities, especially in terms of human resource management and efficient management of resources. Next to a phlegmatic personality in management capability is the typical melancholy personality. Therefore, Phlegmel or Melphleg personality blends are of course the most efficient managers. When it comes to human management, his interpersonal relationship skills and peaceful disposition enables him to maintain a good working relationship with others and also be able to manage their idiosyncrasies. In terms of resource management, he knows how to manage meagre or available little resources to achieve minimum amount of efficiency. His passion for budgeting and planning, and also money saving mentality undoubtedly makes him an efficient manager of finance and financial resources.

In leadership, the predominant phlegmatic leader is the most cost-effective conscious leader who seldom spend money without adequate planning and budgeting. Therefore enabling him to accomplish so much with little expenses. Saving for the future is also part of his priority as a leader. Apart from the melancholy leader, no other temperament leader likes to save money, and leave behind huge amount of money or assets in the organization’s or government’s account more than the typical phlegmatic leader. For his quest to be accountable to the people does not permit him to be profligate in financial expenses, but to be honest and prudent in management of financial resources. He is very dependable as a leader when it comes to finance, and prudence in finance management.

This leader also knows how to work with his staffs and subordinates, and manage their idiosyncrasies. His peaceful and humane disposition, plus his congenial and non-abrasive attitude towards others usually enables him to work seamlessly with them, as well as resolve any conflict and controversy among those working for, and with him. Among the four basic type of temperaments, he is unarguably the best human resources manager that knows how to douse the tension in his leadership role and responsibilities. It is basically for this reason that he usually thrives in administrative duties, and he is usually a very good administrator who oversees the day to day running of an organization while also maintaining a cordial relationship with every staff under his administration.

**People-oriented:**

Apart from the melancholy leader who comes close no other temperament deliberately cares so much about people, especially about the welfare and livelihood of his followers, staffs, and subordinates more than the typical phlegmatic leader. By nature, this personality loves people and desires to be loved by them as well. Therefore, doing all he can to get their love and goodwill is not beyond his capacity. Consequently as a leader, he usually prioritize the welfare and well-being of those he is leading far and above any other thing, thus enabling him to enjoy the goodwill and support of his followers, subordinates, and staffs. He runs the most people-oriented leadership of the four basic temperaments.

As a result of this, human capacity development, programs and projects that will impact positively on people and improve their living standards is usually given the topmost priority unless other negative influences find their way into his leadership. The typical phlegmatic leader is the most deliberate people-oriented leader, while the sanguine leader seems to be the most unintentional people-oriented leader, and a predominant melancholy leader seems to be the most versatile leader who tends to focus on almost every aspect of leadership both human and infrastructural development.

In conclusion, while majority of the weaknesses of a predominant phlegmatic leader tends to make his leadership style appear too weak, passive, and ineffective, but his leadership strengths are necessary to engender peace, and peaceful coexistence if he will not allow his emotions and sentiments to interfer in his leadership responsibilities. However, like every other temperament strengths are necessary and required at some specific time of leadership, the typical phlegmatic leaders’ strengths are undoubtedly needed at a time when leadership is in need of someone who can douse the tension, resolve conflicts, and manage both human and material resources.