Effects of Leadership Styles on Productivity of Heads of Departments of Faculty of Management Sciences of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. Nigeria

This study assesses the effects of various leadership styles on the productivity of Heads of Departments (HODs) within the Faculty of Management Sciences at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Given the pivotal role HODs play in translating institutional goals into operational output, understanding how their leadership influences team efficiency is crucial for academic performance. The research employed a survey design, collecting primary data from a sample of academic and non-academic staff under the supervision of the HODs. The theoretical framework examined the relationship between commonly observed styles—specifically Transformational, Transactional, and Autocratic—and key metrics of departmental productivity, such as timely curriculum delivery, research output, and administrative efficiency. Findings indicated that the Transformational leadership style was significantly and positively correlated with higher levels of HOD productivity and staff job satisfaction. Conversely, the Autocratic style showed a negligible or negative association with key productivity indicators. The study concludes that the adoption of flexible, motivating, and vision-driven leadership approaches is essential for maximizing departmental output in university settings. It recommends that the university administration prioritize leadership training and development programs focused on building transformational qualities among its HODs to enhance organizational effectiveness.