Abstract:
The general objective of this study was to assess the impact of leadership styles on improvement of employees' performance in Ngorongoro District Council in Arusha Region. In light of the general objective, this study was guided by four specific objectives which were to ascertain leadership challenges that undermine employee performance at Ngorongoro District Council, to find out appropriate leadership styles for improvement of employee performance at Ngorongoro District Council, to determine leadership strategies for improve employee performance at Ngorongoro District Council and establish the impact of leadership styles on employee performance at Ngorongoro District Council. This study applied quantitative research approach which involved use of descriptive-correlation research design. The study targeted to involve a sample size of 218 respondents drawn from the population of 479 employees working at Ngorongoro District Council. However, only 192 (88%) respondents participated in this study. Data were collected through structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed on SPSS by using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings have shown that employee performance is undermined by interpersonal leadership challenges, institutional challenges and training challenges. Findings for the second research objective have shown that transformational, transactional and servant leadership styles are appropriate leadership styles for improving employee performance at Ngorongoro District Council. Findings for the third research objective have shown that improvement of employee performance at Ngorongoro District Council requires strategies training strategies, resource strategies, management strategies and communication strategies. Findings for fourth research objective have shown that transformational, transformational and servant leadership styles have significant impact on improvement of employee performance (t=4.426, p= .000. 0.05; t=7,223, p= .000. 5- 0.05 and t=6,668, p= .000._ 0,05). This study concludes that improvement of employee performance requires application of multiple leadership styles which addressed various aspects of performance. This study recommends that Ngorongoro District Council should ensure provision of leadership training to strengthen leadership skills for managing employee performance.
