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THE EFFECTS OF DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE BY DEPARTMENTAL HEADS ON SECRETARIES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Leadership is an essential component of organizational success, and different leadership styles can significantly influence the well-being and productivity of employees. In recent years, democratic leadership style has emerged as a popular leadership approach, which emphasizes employee participation in decision-making processes and encourages open communication and collaboration among team members (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015). While the benefits of democratic leadership style have been widely studied in various organizational contexts, its effects on secretaries, who often play a critical role in organizational performance, remain underexplored.

Secretaries are a vital part of an organization, as they are responsible for managing administrative duties, scheduling appointments, and handling communications. They serve as the first point of contact for many clients, and their efficiency and effectiveness can significantly impact the organization's image and reputation (Pierce & Newstrom, 2011). Thus, understanding how the leadership style of departmental heads can affect secretaries is crucial for improving organizational performance and enhancing the well-being of employees.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of democratic leadership style by departmental heads on secretaries in an organizational setting. Specifically, this study seeks to explore the impact of democratic leadership style on the job satisfaction, motivation, and job performance of secretaries. Additionally, the study aims to identify the key elements of democratic leadership that contribute to positive outcomes among secretaries.

Leadership style refers to the way leaders interact with their followers and make decisions (Northouse, 2019). There are various leadership styles, including autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire. Among these, democratic leadership has emerged as a popular style, particularly in the current business environment, which values collaboration, teamwork, and open communication (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015).

Democratic leadership style is characterized by participative decision-making, open communication, and shared responsibility among team members (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015). In this style, the leader involves employees in decision-making processes, seeks their input and feedback, and values their opinions. Employees are encouraged to express their ideas and opinions, and their contributions are considered in the decision-making process. The leader also provides support and guidance, encourages teamwork, and delegates tasks based on employees' strengths and abilities (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015).

Research has shown that democratic leadership style has several positive effects on employee well-being and job performance (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015). For example, employees working under democratic leaders tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction and motivation (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015). This is because democratic leaders value their employees' opinions and encourage them to express their ideas, which can create a sense of ownership and involvement in the decision-making process (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015). Additionally, democratic leaders tend to provide support, guidance, and recognition, which can enhance employees' self-efficacy and job satisfaction (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015).

Furthermore, democratic leadership style can also positively affect employee job performance. When employees are involved in decision-making processes and feel that their opinions are valued, they tend to be more committed to the organization and its goals (Van Knippenberg et al., 2015). This can lead to better job performance, as employees feel a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their work. Additionally, democratic leaders tend to delegate tasks based on employees' strengths and abilities, which can enhance employee autonomy and

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