Leadership Styles and Their Impact on Employee Motivation

Abstract

Leadership styles significantly influence employee motivation, which in turn affects organizational performance and employee satisfaction. This paper explores various leadership styles—transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire—and examines their impact on employee motivation. Through a review of existing literature and empirical studies, we analyze how different leadership approaches can enhance or diminish motivation levels among employees. The findings reveal that transformational leadership is most effective in fostering high levels of employee motivation, while transactional leadership can be effective in structured environments. Laissez-faire leadership, however, often leads to decreased motivation and productivity. This study provides insights for leaders seeking to enhance employee motivation through appropriate leadership strategies.