How can we learn about the leadership styles of leaders, such as Jack Welch, in a more cursory fashion? It is hard to conceive of giving people like Jack Welch a battery of psychological tests or having them submit to a series of clinical interviews. Not only would they not have time for, or tolerate such procedures, they would be wary that the results, if made public, might prove politically damaging.
One way of learning more about Jack Welch that does not require his co-operation is by examining what is written about him and what he says in interviews. His movements and statements are generally recorded by the mass media; little of what he does escapes notice. Such materials provide a basis for assessment.
By analyzing the content of what is said about Jack Welch, as well as what he says, we can begin to learn something about the image he displays in public. To illustrate how Welch’s statements can be studied to learn more about his leadership, this site will present a technique for using such material to assess his leadership style.
-Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric