ROLE OF LEADERSHIP STYLE IN SHAPING EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION AND ENGAGEMENT

Leadership style plays a critical role in influencing employee behavior, particularly in terms of motivation and engagement, which are essential for organizational effectiveness and performance. In today’s dynamic work environment, understanding how different leadership approaches impact employees has become increasingly important. The primary objective of this study is to examine the role of leadership styles such as transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire in shaping employee motivation and engagement levels. The study adopts a quantitative research design, utilizing primary data collected through structured questionnaires from employees working in service sector organizations. A sample of 150 respondents was selected using convenience sampling. Statistical tools such as descriptive analysis, correlation, and regression analysis were applied to evaluate the relationships between leadership styles and employee outcomes. The key findings indicate that transformational leadership has a strong positive impact on both employee motivation and engagement, while transactional leadership shows a moderate influence. In contrast, laissez-faire leadership demonstrates a weak or negative relationship with employee motivation and engagement. The results suggest that leadership style significantly determines employee attitudes and behaviors in the workplace. In conclusion, the study highlights that adopting an effective leadership style, particularly transformational leadership, can enhance employee motivation and engagement, leading to improved organizational performance. Organizations are therefore encouraged to develop leadership practices that foster supportive, inspiring, and participative work environments.