LEADERSHIP STYLES AND ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION: A STUDY OF GUARANTY TRUST BANK (GTB), ASABA, DELTA STATE

Abstract

This study examined the impact of leadership styles on organizational innovation in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Asaba, Delta State. Other specific objectives were to examine the nature of relationship between democratic leadership style and innovativeness of Guaranty Trust Bank and to assess the nature of relationship between transformational leadership style and organizational innovativeness. A descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. A structured questionnaire was developed to enable the researcher generate data for the study. The study sampled the staff of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Asaba, Delta State. The Regression Analysis was used for testing the hypotheses, using SPSS version 23. Findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between democratic leadership style and organizational innovation. Findings also showed that transformational leadership style is positively significant to organizational innovation. In conclusion, this study argues that leadership styles and organizational innovation are statistically and significantly related. The study also concludes that leaders should vary their approaches of leadership so as to achieve a blend of improved performance/productivity/innovativeness without undermining workers’ satisfaction level. It was however, recommended amongst others that autocratic and democratic leadership styles should be adopted by leaders interchangeably, in order to increase commitment and improve innovative abilities.