Relationship Between Army Officer Personality Type, Combat Identifier, Leadership Style, and Career Satisfaction

The dual purpose of this study includes conducting a comparative analysis of historical data and statistically analyzing new data. First, a comparative analysis will be conducted between the results of this study and a 2005 study by MAJ Laura Garren (then a student at CGSC) concentrating on the relationship between officer personality, combat identifiers, and career satisfaction. This portion of the study will identify any significant relationship changes in these parameters over the last six years. Second, the study dimension of leadership style (transactional and transformational) will be added to the relationship analysis of this study. This portion of the study will show what type individual personalities are dominant in each of the leadership styles giving a clearer picture as to why someone with a given personality might lead in a specific way or feel that it is appropriate to lead in a certain way. This paper will identify personality traits that relate with leadership style and determine common links between personality, combat identifiers, career satisfaction, and leadership style. The study of personality indicators, through the use of Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI) and Boje's X, Y, Z Leadership Theory, link personality types and leadership styles. Some personality types may be more successful in one career path over another. The unique blend of traits of a leader's personality creates his or her leadership style and determines the quality of their leadership ability.