EFFECT OF LEADERSHIP STYLE ON WORKERS PERFORMANCE IN AN ORGANIZATION

(A CASE STUDY OF KOGI STATE CIVIL SERVICE)

ABSTRACT

This research thesis is about the impact of leadership style and employees performance in the organization. The objective of this research work is to create knowledge about the relationship that exists between effect of leadership style on workers performance in an organization. Descriptive research method is adopted and data were collected through questionnaire. The major activity of this thesis were directed by the hypothesis formulated in chapter one. The findings of this study pointed out that a serious relationship exists between leadership style and employees performance in the organization. Also that most of the employees in Kogi state Civil Service are satisfied with the leadership style that exists in their organization because they were paid promptly and incentives are always given to them as bonuses. The conclusion of this study, from the findings shows that leadership style is one of the several factors that affect employees’ performance in the organization. The following recommendations are made by the researcher. There should be training for manager and employees on some principles that are very important for effective productivity. And also those employees should be effectively motivated. Management should also create enabling environment and rules for both leaders and subordinates to carry out activities together as this will give all employee sense of belonging.

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

The focus of this study is on leadership styles and their impact on employees’ performance. Leadership is the process of initiating group activities toward goal setting and goal attainment.

BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH STUDY

This research study is on leadership style and employees’ performance. Leadership style is important in an organization, and leading a group is not easy because they can resist leadership.

During the last few decades hundred of laboratory and field studies were conducted to investigate the nature of leadership styles that exists in organizations. Example Ohia state university, Michigan University, managerial grid, etc.

Leadership style indicates the pattern and behaviours adopted by the leader during the process of directing and influencing the group member. The choice of a good leadership

style can be said to be determined by many variables amongst which are the leaders motivational structure, good interpersonal relationship or location of decision making function, whether simple or complex effects the systoles to be used.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The statement of problem in this study is to investigate leadership style and employees’ performance; the knowledge gain from this study, recommendation shall be made on how to improve leadership ability in the organization.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The following are the objective of the study;

(a) To describe pattern of leadership styles in organization

(b) To find out the perception of employee on leadership style

(c) To investigate if leadership styles have any relationship with employee performance

(d) To find out if leadership style improve organizational performance

(e) To make recommendation on how to improve leadership ability in the organization.

HYPOTHESES FOR THE STUDY HYPOTHESIS I

There is no relationship between Democratic or Supportive leadership style and the employee performance.

HYPOTHESIS II

There is no relationship between autocratic or task related leadership style and employees performance.

HYPOTHESIS III

There is no relationship between great man leadership style and employees performance.

HYPOTHESIS IV

There is no relationship between leadership style and organizational performance.

SIGNI FICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this research work are as follows:

(a) It will provide guideline to improve relationship between leaders and subordinates.

(b) It will put an end to the misconception that organization’s success has no bearing or relationship with leadership styles.

 (c) It will reduce/eradicate the misdirection and failure in leadership in our organizations.

(d) It will provide guideline for duties and responsibilities for both leaders and subordinates.

MOTIVATION FOR THIS STUDY

The researcher was motivated to carry out this investigation because he wanted to investigate effect of leadership style on workers performance in an organization.

Also this study will help the researcher to identify pattern and behaviour leaders associated with the follower satisfaction and effective group performance and to influence group to take best line of action to attain the organizational objective.

DEFINIT ION OF CONCEPTS AND TERMS LEADERSHIP: Process of directing and inflecting task related activities of group members (Stoner 2005).

Leadership Styles: This is the various patterns of behaviours favours by leaders during the process of directing and influencing workers. (Anayo 1991)

Leader: A leader is one who is given an authority by the organization to lead the subordinate to ward achieving a predicted goal (Codor 1995).

Followers: There is no leader in isolation or absence of followers. Followers are people being lead by the leaders who voluntarily relinquish to the leader their right to make certain independent decisions.

GROUP: A group is a number of people who communicate  with one another often over a period of time or span of time and who are few enough so that each person is able to  communicate with all others not as at second hand, through other people, but face to face. Group can be defined as two or more people who interact and influence each other towards a common purpose.

GOALS: Goals are the ends toward which organizational actions are directed. Goals are desired and pursued by an organization. (Onwuchekwa C.I 2002).

MOTIVATION: Motivation is that which causes an individual to change his or her behaviour in a directed end. It is also that which causes an individual to forget his or her own interest and to pursue the interest of an organization. Stonner, Freeman and Subret (2005).

PRODUCTIVITY: Measure of how well an operation’s system functions and an indicator of the efficiency and competitiveness of a single form or department.