Effect of Leadership Sytles on Employee Performance

Leadership is one of the most important factors influencing the success and sustainability of any organization. It involves the ability to inspire, guide, and motivate individuals or groups toward the achievement of common goals. The style of leadership adopted by a manager or supervisor determines how effectively employees perform their duties and contribute to organizational objectives. Leadership style refers to the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people (Northouse, 2021). Effective leadership is not only about giving orders but also about creating an environment that encourages employee engagement, productivity, and satisfaction.Employee performance, on the other hand, is the measure of how effectively employees carry out their assigned responsibilities to achieve organizational goals. It is influenced by several factors, including motivation, job satisfaction, work environment, and leadership style. Studies have shown that leadership styles such as transformational, transactional, autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire each have distinct impacts on employee behavior and output (Amanchukwu, Stanley, & Ololube, 2015). For instance, transformational leaders inspire and empower employees to exceed expectations, while transactional leaders rely on rewards and punishments to drive performance. Democratic leaders encourage participation and collaboration, whereas autocratic and laissez-faire leaders may either improve efficiency or hinder creativity depending on how they are applied.In today’s dynamic and competitive work environment, the need for effective leadership has become more essential than ever. Organizations rely on competent leaders who can adopt suitable leadership styles that align with both the organization’s objectives and the needs of their employees. Understanding the relationship between leadership styles and employee performance can help organizations enhance productivity, reduce turnover, and foster a positive workplace culture. Therefore, this study examines the effect of leadership styles on employee performance with the aim of identifying the most effective approaches that promote organizational growth and employee satisfaction.