A Leadership Methodology: Actions, Traits, and Skills that Result in Goal Achievement

Abstract

For centuries, observers of human achievement have been fascinated with the attributes of successful leaders. The writings of Taylor, Fayol, Likert, and others suggest that there is "one best way" to lead and manage. Nevertheless, there is no generally accepted leadership methodology consisting of the sequence of actions, traits, and skills, that result in goal achievement. This paper proposes, and supports, such a methodology. Secondary literature is researched to identify actions, traits, and skills, that correlate with goal achievement. From this, a preliminary methodology is developed. The validly to the methodology is supported by a survey of CEOs that is designed to replicate the approach, and confirm the findings, of prior research. The outcomes of the replication study are presented in a Likert style chart. A methodology of the sequence of goal achieving actions, is presented in a graphic format.