Abstract
This research project applies Leadership Trait Analysis (LTA) to a new type of leader: the U.S. Secretary of State. Additionally, it looks at the impact on how a secretary seeks to influence foreign policy decision making. Thus, the research question analyzed is: How do leadership traits of the Secretary of State impact the way secretaries exert their influence in foreign policy? This research is important because LTA has primarily focused on chief executives, such as the U.S. President, leaving a gap in the literature regarding lower-level advisors. In answering the question, this study conducts a complete LTA profile on four Secretaries of State: Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry. Additionally, every secretary is measured to create a profile on where they attempt to exert influence in foreign policy. Applying their influence behavioral profile to the different trait profiles establishes the potential connections between LTA and U.S. Secretaries of State as foreign policy actors.
Advisor
Kille, Kent
Department
Political Science
Recommended Citation
Gerdenich, Alexander M., "Advisors and Influence in Foreign Policy: Expanding Leadership Trait Analysis to the U.S. Secretary of State" (2025). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11609.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11609
Disciplines
International Relations
Keywords
Leadership Trait Analysis, Secretary of State, Foreign Policy, International Relations, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry
Publication Date
2025
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2025 Alexander M. Gerdenich