Leadership traits of military instructors within the Armed Forces of Malta

Abstract

This research study explores the personality characteristics, mainly traits, of instructors as leaders, within the Armed Forces of Malta. Furthermore, the research is intended to identify the desired personality characteristics of the effective military leader in the local context, from the Officers’ point of view and indicates any gaps between the two groups. The research used the Trait Theory to assess personality characteristics as military organisations rely heavily on the leader’s attitude as described in this theory. Research surveys are based on the Big-Five Personality Characteristics (Goldberg, 1992). The data collection took almost a month from two different participants groups: Officers and military instructors. The data analysis was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics V22.0 software package. Major findings were that several instructors were uncertain in their self-reporting, personal and occupational variables do not lead to a change in their personality characteristics, and that there are gaps between the expected and self-reporting The research findings’ interpretation is that the instructors lack in various components their effectiveness as leaders and the Armed Forces of Malta need to undertake the matter seriously. The findings discussion is followed by recommendations to the Higher Authority and promoting further research among the organisation’s personnel.