LEADERSHIP STYLES AND PERFORMANCE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between leadership styles and performance of Federal Government Agencies in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study evaluates the influence of transformational leadership on employee intrinsic motivation and transactional leadership on operational efficiency. Data were collected from a sample size of 200 staff members using copies of structured questionnaire, and linear regression analysis was applied to test the hypotheses. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between transformational leadership and employee intrinsic motivation (β = 0.635, p = 0.000), explaining 56.6% of the variance in intrinsic motivation (R² = 0.566). Similarly, transactional leadership significantly influenced operational efficiency (β = 0.720, p = 0.000), accounting for 48.2% of the variance in operational efficiency (R² = 0.482). These findings underscore the critical role of transformational leadership in fostering employee engagement and intrinsic motivation, while transactional leadership enhances structured task execution and operational efficiency in the public sector. The study concludes that effective leadership styles tailored to organizational contexts significantly improve performance outcomes. The study recommends that public sector organizations adopt transformational leadership practices to inspire and empower employees, fostering innovation and motivation. Simultaneously, transactional leadership should be leveraged in scenarios requiring task-oriented focus and regulatory compliance to enhance operational efficiency.