Examining the Effectiveness of Leadership Style on Employee Performance: A Case Study of Lusaka City Council

This study investigated the effectiveness of leadership styles on employee performance at the Lusaka City Council (LCC). The research aimed to identify the dominant leadership styles practiced, assess their influence on employee motivation and productivity, and determine the limitations of these leadership approaches within the Council’s operational environment. A mixed-method research design was adopted, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of leadership dynamics at LCC. The target population consisted of council employees across various departments, from which a sample size of 100 respondents was selected using a stratified random sampling technique to ensure representation from all divisions. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis through SPSS, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed that transformational and democratic leadership styles were the most dominant, significantly contributing to improved employee performance, motivation, and job satisfaction. Regression analysis demonstrated that leadership styles explained 68.2% of the variance in employee performance, with transformational (β = 0.428) and democratic (β = 0.312) leadership styles exerting positive influences, whereas autocratic leadership (β = -0.241) showed a negative impact. Qualitative insights further confirmed that effective communication, participatory decision-making, recognition, and supportive supervision are crucial for enhancing employee output and morale. The study concludes that effective leadership remains a cornerstone of organizational success and employee engagement at LCC. It recommends leadership development programs, enhanced feedback mechanisms, participatory governance, and the minimization of autocratic tendencies to improve service delivery and accountability in local government institutions.