ROLE OF LEADERSHIP STYLE IN SHAPING EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION AND ENGAGEMENT

Leadership style plays a critical role in influencing employee motivation and engagement, which are key determinants of organizational performance and success. In today’s dynamic work environment, understanding how different leadership approaches impact employee behavior has become increasingly important. The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between leadership styles—such as transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire—and employee motivation and engagement levels. The research adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing a structured questionnaire distributed among 150 employees across various sectors. Statistical tools such as correlation and regression analysis were used to interpret the data. The findings reveal that transformational leadership has a significant positive impact on both employee motivation and engagement, as it fosters trust, inspiration, and personal development. Transactional leadership shows a moderate effect, primarily influencing motivation through rewards and performance-based incentives, while laissez-faire leadership demonstrates a negative or negligible impact due to lack of guidance and support. The study concludes that organizations should encourage leaders to adopt transformational leadership practices to enhance employee motivation and engagement. Effective leadership not only improves individual performance but also contributes to overall organizational growth and sustainability.