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type: working paper

Herman Van Rompuy: Calm Resolve in the European Union

author(s) | Tobias Van Assche

last change | 9 November 2009

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keywords | Van Rompuy, Hermann, Leadership Trait Analysis, President, European Council

abstract | This paper uses the Leadership Trait Analysis (LTA) technique, developed in the United States, to investigate the leadership style of current Belgian Prime Minister and frontrunner for the Presidency of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. This technique relies on the word use in interview responses to analyze how he scores on: 1) openness to information, 2) task or interpersonal focus, 3) challenge constraints, and 4) motivation towards the world. This study finds that Van Rompuy can act like an opportunistic or a collegial leader, depending on the context. He is in general open to information, can be task oriented or focused on the group morale based on the situation, and generally respects constraints that he perceives in the environment. Internationally, his focus is on taking advantage of opportunities and relations. He does not have a strong ingroup bias or distrust of others. This profile confirms Van Rompuy’s media image of someone who focuses on negotiating and troubleshooting, who is not driven by a personal need for power and prestige. According to the results, he is a leader who will constantly evaluate cues from the environment and only move forward when he deems it feasible. He is also flexible in the way he balances accomplishing tasks and retaining group morale. This paper argues that this type of leader is a good match for the conditions that the EU currently finds itself in. The EU needs someone with calm resolve who can deal with the economic and financial crisis, the fatigue following the latest enlargement rounds, and who can implement the Lisbon Treaty.

more info | Tobias.vanassche@ua.ac.be

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