THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEADERSHIP STYLES ON MOTIVATION AND COMMITMENT IN SOUTHERN NATIONS NATIONALITIES AND PEOPLES REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine how different leadership styles affected the motivation and commitment of employees in the zonal education department. For this investigation, a sequential explanatory mixed approach was used. Six zonal education departments were chosen at random from a total of eleven by these easy approaches. The 685 employees made up the study's entire population. 210 of them were chosen using the Cochran (1977) formula and proportionate sampling. Data were gathered using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Modified versions of the MLQ, WEIMS, and OCQ were utilized to gather quantitative data. A semi-structured interview guide was used to gather the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics like mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics like independent t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression were used to analyze the quantitative data whereas narrative analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The findings indicated a relationship between leadership styles, employee motivation and commitment. The findings of the study also showed that employee motivations in the study area were found to be at high and commitment was at a moderate level, further supporting the idea that leadership practices affect employee motivation and commitment. Certain demographic factors, such as work experience and working zones of an employee have made differences on employee motivation and commitment. In light of this, it can be said that leadership styles have an impact on employee motivation and commitment, when used properly, can have a good effect on both. Therefore, it is advised that leaders of the zonal education departments should enhance the present level of motivation and commitment. It is also recommended that additional scholars conduct the study on a national scale in order to draw more attention to the effort.