Leadership Qualities
Observing Coach Paterno working on the sidelines, listening to his interviews, and reading numerous articles and books about his life helps me come to the conclusion that he would be best classified as a “controller’. His strong will and competitive nature are defining characteristics that would support identifying him as a controller. Also, it is in his nature to make decisions easily and rapidly if needed. Throughout his 43 year career as a head coach, Joe Paterno has demonstrated persistence through his commitment to the entire Penn State community. Controllers often display these characteristics. Overall, Joe Paterno exhibits leadership qualities that bests defines him as a controller.
Coach Paterno’s secondary behavior characteristics would be best described as a “promoter”. Being out front and forceful as well as being an excellent communicator are traits that are displayed by Joe to his coaching staff and athletes. Furthermore, his enthusiasm for the game of football and Penn State University as a whole shows characteristics of a promoter. The characteristics of promoter are most evident in Coach Paterno’s involvement with numerous charities and fundraises that have gone to improving Penn State. Throughout his illustrious career, he has made over $4 million dollar of donations to the university. Most noteworthy would be a 3.5 million dollar donation for an addition to the Pattee Library. Promoters tend to be warm and friendly and look for situations to be insightful.
Coach Paterno is no stranger to adversity. Being raised during the Depression, he was almost forced to leave his high school, Brooklyn Prep, due to the costly tuition. Through hard work and perseverance, Joe was able to graduate high school and to attend Brown University. After graduating from Brown University, Coach Paterno accepted a job as an assistant football coach at Penn State University. With aspirations of going to law school, coaching was supposed to be a brief experience. However, taking the assistant coaching job proved to be the turning point in his life that would lead to becoming one of the most prolific college football coaches of all time. During this time, he found his true passion to teach and fostered his inner strengths of motivator, communicator, and achiever.
References
Asbell, B (1989). Paterno By The Book (1st ed.). New York, NY:Random House.Wikipedia (n.d.). Joe Paterno. Retrieved February, 10, 2009 from, Wikipedia Foundation, Inc Web site: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoePaterno.
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Mink and Paterno definitely had similar leadership qualities. They were both promoters and controllers. Paterno’s primary characteristic was controller, whereas Mink’s primary characteristic was promoter. It seems these two traits are very complimentary and effective in the way Paterno and Mink employed them in their leadership roles. They also share the strength of communication, which was a vitally important in achieving their respective goals. Another thing that impressed me about both leaders is the fact they both continued working toward their goals long after most would have retired. Mink was even reelected to office even though she had passed away shortly before the election.
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