An emotionally unstable innovator.

That’s what a new study led by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia says about the current U.S. president. The study analyzed Trump tweets, along with those of other entrepreneurs and CEOs, to better understand what makes global influencers tick.

"Our aim was to better understand their business mindsets, how they approach work and how they have achieved their success," said QUT professor Martin Obschonka, who conducted the research with Dr. Christian Fisch from Trier University in Germany and Ryan Boyd from the University of Texas at Austin.

Queensland University of Technology professor Martin Obschonka. Image credit: Anthony Weate/QUT Marketing & Communication.

The research employed a groundbreaking method of examining digital footprints, using machine learning to analyze characteristic language styles, contents and patterns. Considered together, says Obschonka, the data can reveal “remarkably valid information on a person's personality profile."

The first study compared the online personalities of the wealthiest entrepreneurs with those of the most powerful CEOs. "We used the Forbes 400 and the Fortune 500 lists to pinpoint our targets,” Obschonka explained. “Then we analyzed more than 215,000 words posted by these individuals on Twitter.”

The results indicated that the CEOs showed a more “entrepreneurial” personality profile than the entrepreneurs, in that they were more conscientious, more power driven and less insecure. The authors attribute this finding to the very close link between the CEO and his or her company. Entrepreneurs also showed aspects of an “innovator” personality: independence and openness to new experience.

A second study looked at political personalities. "Probably no other politician or businessperson in the world is currently so strongly associated with Twitter tweets like Trump,” said Fisch. “His online personality really matters in his approach to political leadership, as he makes world policy via his tweets almost every day.”

According to the researchers, the president shows stronger features of an innovator personality than the other influential business leaders studied. He scored higher in openness to new experience (listening to new ideas, willingness to consider unconventional solutions) while at the same time lower in agreeableness (a strong focus on competition, social distinction and Machiavellianism).

Joseph Schumpeter, one of the most influential economists of the 20th century, would call this a type of personality a “creative destructor.” Obschonka believes that such personalities might be on the rise in political leadership.

"We also found Trump scored relatively high in neuroticism,” added Fisch. “Being high in this trait means being emotionally unstable and having trouble controlling urges.”

"Such a personality pattern could be something like a double-edged sword,” said Obschonka. Being a single-minded, creative rule-breaker can be a good trait in an entrepreneur, he explains, but might not be such a good thing in the political realm where careful diplomacy is needed.

"However,” he concedes, “our analysis should not be confused with a proper clinical analysis of the characters of these powerful individuals. This would require their active and willing participation."