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Purpose - This study examines the difference between interpersonal and task oriented leadership in the military. The paper seeks to explain how personality and goal orientation affect these two styles of leadership and improve job performance. Design/methodology/approach - The study collected data from 869 soldiers, comprised of enlisted personnel and officers. All participants were in the age range of 18 to 55 years old. The research was gathered from the United States Military during peacetime efforts. The instruments used for data analysis were Fred Fiedler's Contingency Model of Leadership, the Least Preferred Coworker Scale (LPC), Goal Orientation and the Five Factor Model (FFM). Findings - Findings concluded that goal orientation and the personality trait of conscientiousness significantly influenced the job performance of military leaders. Both of the influencing factors are characteristics found in task-oriented leaders. The low LPC scores, recorded in the data, substantially add to this conclusion. Research limitations/implications - Research was administered only during a peacetime environment, limiting the scope of certain aspects affecting military job performance. Originality/value - The recent study is original due to its attempt to show that Fiedler's LPC is directly related to certain dimensions of the FFM. The study also reveals that the FFM trait of Conscientiousness, connected with a strong emphasis on Goal-Orientation, is the strongest determinant of a successful leader in military operations. Psychologists may also contribute from the value added by this study in the analysis of FFM, Goal-Orientation and Fred Fiedler's Contingency Theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]