Directive leadership style and staff motivation in private universities in Uganda: a case of Kampala International University

Abstract

This study was conducted to establish the effect of directive leadership style on staff motivation in Private Universities in Uganda taking Kampala International University as a case study. Two specific objectives guided the study: (i) to examine the effect of directive leadership style on initiation of effort among staff of Kampala International University, and (ii) to establish the effect of directive leadership style on persistence of behavior among staff of Kampala International University. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design in collection of data from a sample of 111 respondents with the aid of self –administered questionnaires. Research findings indicated that whereas supervisor’s instructions accommodates innovativeness by giving employees guidelines on how to execute their tasks, they do not exactly tell employees what to do, they do not appropriately schedule work to be done, they do not set key performance indicators and that directive leadership style is not sufficient in enabling employees persevere during times of hardship let alone failing to strike a work-life-balance. The study concludes that though directive leadership style has significant and positive effect to initiation of effort and persistence of behavior among staff, little has been done to fully operationalize it. It is recommended that managers should use the style in letting employees have a sense of direction, schedule for them tasks, and above all, set key performance indicators upon which to appraise staff.