Analyzing leadership styles of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Managers

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether Transformational, Transactional, or Laissez-Faire leadership styles prevailed among Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Managers and to explore the relationships among background characteristics and the predominant leadership style. The sample includes 400 FAA Air Traffic Control Managers in Terminal Operations throughout the United States. Participants completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5X), which measured leadership style and leadership outcomes, and a 13-question Leadership Background Survey which measured various FAA Air Traffic Control Managers background characteristics (age, gender, educational level, air traffic experience, air traffic control facility type, managerial role, air traffic facility level, service area, management experience, and military experience). The results indicate that Transformational leadership is the predominant leadership style among FAA Air Traffic Control Managers. No relationships were found among the background characteristics and the predominant leadership style, Transformational leadership. Additional research is needed in this area and several recommendations are made to assist this effort.