INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP PATTERN

AND STYLE ON EMPLOYEE MORALE AND

PRODUCTIVITY
LECTURE DELIVERED
BY
JONATHAN ISHAYA
ON THE OCCASSION OF NAITES MAIDEN
ANNUAL SEMINAR/WORKSHOP
16TH DECEMBER, 2014

INTRODUCTION
Leadership is a major element that sets successful and
unsuccessful organizations apart. It plays central role in
offering direction and purpose towards achieving goals
of an organization. It is also an important element in
the social relationship of groups at work.
Leadership is the main factor that determines and
shape group behavior and also the life wire of an
organization.

When

it

is

correctly

applied,

each

employee enjoys a feeling of strong commitment

towards achieving organizational goals.

INTRODUCTION

(Contd.)

Regardless of equality of its members, every group or organization will

tend to have a system in which it will have a leader.

The success or failure of an organization depends on a leader. They are

credited for groups success and are blamed for the groups failure.
Who then is a leader?
According to Likert (1974), a leader is a person who has the ability to

influence the behavior of others in a group activity.

Leadership itself can simply be defined as a process of influencing the

activities of an individual or a group towards attainment of set goals.

According to Furnham (2005) Leadership is a process of influencing the

employees behavior in achieving institutional goals.

INTRODUCTION
(Contd.)
Organizational goals can never be achieved without proper leadership
style in play. Leadership style is simply referred to as the behavior of a
leader in which he/she influences the followers. (Lutherns, 1989).
It is important to note that no single leadership style is likely to be
effective in all circumstances, leadership style vary based on
surroundings and circumstances.
Therefore, instead of concentrating on a single leadership style,

Theapproaches
force in the
situation
leaders can vary their
depending
on three factors:

PATTERN OF ORGANIZATIONAL
LEADERSHIP
Interpolation
Administration
ORIGINATION

LEADERSHIP STYLES

MANAGEMENT GRID

THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
The Great man theory of leadership (Born-to-

Lead)
Traits theory of leadership
Behavioral theory of leadership (e.g. Initiating

structure and consideration)

Theory X and Theory Y
Contingency theory of leadership

EMPIRICAL STUDIES

According to research conducted by Haruni J. Machumu and

Mafwimbo M. Katila from Mzumbe University, Tanzania on

the

influence

of

Leadership

style

on

teachers

Job

satisfaction and productivity, the results revealed that

democratic leadership style is the one which promotes
teachers job satisfaction as they are likely to be engaged,
cared

and

valued

for

their

contribution

hence

good

performance.
Similar research was conducted by M.L Voon, M.C Lo et al

on the influence of Leadership style on teachers Job

satisfaction and productivity in public sector organizations in
Malaysia, the results showed that democratic leadership

EMPERICAL STUDIES (Contd.)

Another research was conducted by Yahaya Alhasan, Osman

Ibrahim et al in Tamale Polytechnic Ghana on assessing the

effect of leadership style on staff productivity and the result
revealed that autocratic leadership style adopted by the
management of the polytechnic was responsible for the
failure of the polytechnic, therefore they recommended the
adoption of more participative style which is democratic
leadership style.
Lastly, Japhet S. Gwiyo et al conducted a research on a

critical review of the leadership styles on the performance of

teachers in Tana River county Kenya, it was discovered that
there is a relationship between the school managements

IMPACT OF CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE LEADERSHIP

STYLE ON EMPLOYEE MORALE AND PRODUCTIVITY
Since Autocratic leaders do not seek input from employees,

these leaders tends to alienate their staff and diminish the

employees feeling of involvement. On the other hand,
Democratic leaders are open to employees involvement and
allow employees to feel part of the organization's success.
Leadership style also has an effect on how goals are set. A

democratic leader uses high energy and inspiration to

motivate employees to success. A capable leader provides
direction for the organization and lead followers towards
achieving desired goals.
Employees with high job satisfaction are likely to exert more

IMPACT OF CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE LEADERSHIP

STYLE ON EMPLOYEE MORALE AND PRODUCTIVITY (Contd.)
An organization that fosters high employee job satisfaction

is also more capable of retaining and attracting employees

with the requisite skills that the organization needs.
Staff that feel motivated and have confidence in the

organization's vision can be more productive. Leadership

style has a direct influence on employee morale.
When

leader

acknowledges

or

appreciates

the

contribution of subordinates that can influence their

productivity.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Leaders should manage and utilize the resources at their

disposal efficiently to maximize productivity

Leaders should also know that saving costs through

employing more unqualified and low cost workers may not

necessarily raise productivity.
They should also demonstrate a strong support in

allowing their employees to acquire new skills and

knowledge, and be individually productive.
Leaders should employ open communication to increase

the trust between them and their employees.

RECOMMENDATIONS (Contd.)
Leaders should motivate their employees through

recognition and incentives for a job well done.

Leaders must embrace innovation because innovativeness

has become a major factor in influencing strategic planning.

Leaders, should empower employees to make certain

decisions and keep operations running smoothly and

effectively.
Leaders of successful organizations should focus on

cultivating a participative decision making environment.

CONCLUSION
The leadership style used by management can affect the morale and
effectiveness of employees productivity. It can be concluded that a
leader with democratic leadership style accepts input from employees
and uses the pertinent information to improve the work process in an
organization.
Therefore, democratic leadership style is the most suitable leadership
style for organizations most especially school. This means that good
leadership can certainly contribute to school improvement by abetting
the motivation, participation, and coordination of teachers.

THE END
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