A leadership vacancy can cause resentment and disruption if you appoint the wrong person for the job

When a promotion is on the cards, it's often difficult to decide between the candidates. It's likely that they have all been with your company for some time, they're equally qualified for the post and you have no doubts as to their integrity. It's at this point that the graphologically aware turn to the handwriting. Here's what you should be looking out for:

In general the people who have the self-confidence to take on a leadership role have bolder, bigger handwriting. But some of them may have a tendency to be all show and no ability. If a more human approach is required you may need someone with a lighter hand. But we need to take the observation further.

Look at the shape of the letters, especially the M's and N's and the way they're spaced on the page. The people with pointed letters are persistent, decisive and have intellect. However some of them can be aggressive and inflexible. People with well formed, rounded letters are softer in character but are good communicators. So decide which type of leader you need. All words should be evenly spaced out on the page, rather than cramped or over-spaced as this shows good judgment and emotional stability.

Notice the margins. People who begin well into the page from the left are often intelligent and independent. Avoid those who leave a wide right hand margin - they can be afraid to embrace new ideas and dislike contact with other people.

Study the T's in the text. They can give a big clue to leadership potential. If the top bar of the upper case T is slanted upwards from left to right [/] this person is ambitious. The other way round [\] shows lack of ambition or failure to achieve an ambition. If the cross bar extends over the whole word, they may be overprotective of their people and even patronising. Look out for someone with a normal, precise bar to the T.

The lower case t is even more revealing. If the cross bar is missing, this person is careless or absent minded - certainly not your promotee. A low cross bar shows an inferiority complex. But those with a high cross on top of the stem may well have excellent leadership qualities. And those who cross the t through the middle of the stem are conscientious and take responsibility well. So these are the two to look out for.