CHAPTER I
Introduction
1.1 Background
of the Study
The
importance of leadership in an organization cannot be overemphasized.
Leadership is a major element that sets successful and unsuccessful
organizations and government apart. It plays central role in offering direction
and purpose towards achieving goals of the 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. When it is correctly
applied, each employee enjoys a feeling of strong commitment towards achieving
organizational goals. Regardless of equality of its members, every group will
tend to have a system in which it will have a leader.
However,
organizational goals can never be achieved without proper leadership style in
play. It is important to note that the effective performance of an individual
employee is a function of both his personal characteristics and the individual
environment. A careful consideration of knowledge, skills, experience, attitude
and motivation of an employee enhance maximum productivity and efficiency in
the job. Since leadership deals with the human resource element, it provides
the basis for effective utilization of material resources in an organization
through individual skills, knowledge and ability.
Leadership
can simply be defined as a process of influencing the activities of an
individual or a group towards attainment of set goals. Leadership is the life
wire of an organization. Douglas McGregor theory X and theory Y is to the view
that leader’s attitude towards human nature as a large influence on how that
person behaves as a leader and how it affects the employee under the leader. It
is however important to note that no single leadership style is likely to be
effective in all circumstances, leadership style vary based on surroundings and
circumstances.
However,
instead of concentrating on a single leadership style, leaders can vary their
approaches depending on three factors: forces in the leader, forces in the
subordinate and forces in the situation. An effective leader is measured by his
ability to manage and withstand forces around him and how to effectively
utilize human and material resources to attain organizational objectives.
Douglas McGregor put it clear that there is a close relationship between leaders’
expectation and the resulting performance of subordinates. He further explains
that if leaders’ expectations are high, productivity is likely to be high.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
One
of the problems observed by the researcher is the inflexibility of the
leadership style by most organization managers. They fail to adjust their style
of leading to the changing situations and business environment. This failure is
as a result of the lack of understanding of the fact that no one particular
style of leadership can fit all conditions and must be flexible to give room
for change.
Another
problem is close to the first. Manager’s failure to consider the prevailing
situation when leading their subordinates. They fail to allow the situation
dictate the particular style of leadership to adopt.
Also
is the problem of absence of an effective line of communication between the
manager and their employees. The communication gap between leaders and their
subordinate posses a big problem for several organization as effective
leadership is predicated on communication pattern of both the managers and
their subjects.
In
conclusion, leaders lack managerial experience in ensuring that workers are
motivated, the absence of motivation contributes to the inefficiency and
ineffectiveness of workers.
1.3 Objective
of the Study
a.
To
identify the different Manager’s leadership styles and their relationship with
secretary’s productivity.
b.
To
determine the relationship between Manager’s leadership styles and secretary’s
motivation
c.
To
ascertain the effects of Manager’s leadership
styles on secretary’s morale
d.
To
determine the relationship between secretary’s productivity and placement
e.
To
examine the significance of Manager’s leadership styles on organization
survival
1.4 Significance
of the Study
This
research work is aimed at improving employee productivity through the various
leadership styles. It is also aimed at highlighting the relationship between
leadership styles and employee motivation, the significance of leadership
styles on organization survival. It will also serve as reference document to
students, government, other researchers and scholars, leaders, employee by
contributing towards the advancement of knowledge in management and other
field. It is also a requirement in partial fulfillment for the award of Higher
National Diploma in Purchasing and Supply of Kaduna Polytechnic.
1.5 Research
Questions
a.
What
are the different leadership style and their relationship with secretary’s
productivity
b.
What
are the relationship between leadership styles and secretary’s motivation
c.
What
are the effects of leadership styles on secretary’s morale
d.
What
are the relationship between secretary’s productivity and placement
e.
What
are the significance of leadership styles on organization survival
1.6 Scope
of the Study
The
study centre on the concept of leadership styles and their impact on employee
productivity, to identify the different leadership styles and their relationship
with employee productivity, to determine the relationship between leadership
styles and employee motivation, to determine the relationship between employee
productivity and placement, to ascertain the relationship between leadership
styles on employee morale, to establish the impact of leadership styles on
organization survival.
1.7 Definition
of Terms
Leadership:
The process of directing and inspiring employee to perform task and oriented
activities of the organization.
Style: The
various behavior patterns favoured by leaders during the process of directing
and influencing employee.
Productivity:
The act of carrying out an action or a piece of work.
Motivation:
The force that influence, enthusian, direct employee energy towards the
attainment of set objectives.
Autocratic:
One who rules by his own power without seeking the opinion of his subordinate.
Democratic:
One who adheres to, or promote individual participation as a principle.
Laissez faire: A
leader general principle of no interference with the free action of his
subordinate.
Organization: Are
artificially contrived structures with procedures and objectives defining the
responsibilities and highlighting who does what type of job task.
Reward: Feeling
of satisfaction derived from achieving recognition and competence.