Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely

<p>This study examines the life of VADM Samuel L. Gravely Jr. the first African American admiral in the United States Navy with the twofold purpose of discovering the emerging leadership themes that distinguished him as an effective leader from the 1940's to 1980 and to present a taxonomy of those inherent themes to be considered in the construction of one's own personal leadership philosophy. Using McCracken's long interview research method and Owen's thematic analysis process this study analyzes an interview conducted with VADM Gravely December 1997. McCracken's long interview provides a method of comprehensive data collection that allows the researcher entrance into the world of VADM Gravely to experience his world as he perceives it. Owen's thematic analysis completes the analysis process by providing a systematic approach to categorizing and making sense of the data that is collected from the interview. The synthesis of these methods of analysis allow the researcher to uncover themes that are crucial to VADM Gravely's unstated leadership philosophy. Ten leadership themes emerged from a thematic analysis of the interview: impression management caretaker pursuit of excellence self-confidence communication team building followership morality discipline and preparedness. After identifying these inherent leadership themes a taxonomy was constructed to provide further clarification of each theme and to provide a starting point for consideration by an individual building their own personal leadership philosophy.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>