THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP STYLES ON EMPLOYEES’ PRODUCTIVITY (A STUDY OF ZENITH BANK GBOKO BRANCH)

ABSTRACT This research investigates the impact of leadership styles on employees’ productivity at Zenith Bank Gboko Branch. The main research objective was to examine the impact of leadership style (Transformational, Transactional, Autocratic, and Laissez-faire leadership style) on employees’ productivity. A descriptive survey was used in which 138 questionnaires were collected from 150 questionnaires distributed which consist of permanent and casual staff. Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire developed by Avolio and Bass (1995) was used to measure leadership style. MLQ 360 was used to get self and rate form from both the manager and the employees. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. Regression analysis and Pearson correlation were used to measure the correlation and the hypothesis of the research. The research findings show that the transformational leadership style is the most popular leadership style at Zenith Bank Gboko branch, followed by the Transactional Leadership style posited by the respondents. Autocratic and laissez-faire was the least used leadership style by the managers of Zenith Bank Gboko branch. There was a negative correlation between leadership style and employee performance; both leadership styles (Transformational, Transactional, Autocratic, and Laissez-faire) all have a negative effect on employees’ productivity. The research advocated for further study on the research topic on a broader and bigger capacity to find the effect of leadership style on employees’ performance.