Leadership Through The Spectacles Of Gender: Does It Predict Followers’ Stress Levels? Evidence From Ecobank

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate leadership styles (transactional and transformational) among male and female managers and how these leadership styles influenced stress at the workplace. The study adopted the quantitative research approach and used questionnaires in the collection of data. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to collect data from Ecobank Ghana (Accra Zone), which was selected as the population target. Out of 285 questionnaires administered, 207 were retrieved representing 72.63%. The study’s findings showed that, transformational leadership style was dominant among managers of Ecobank. Also, the results of the study showed that female managers did not practice more transformational leadership style than males; likewise, male leaders did not practice more transactional leadership style than female leaders. Furthermore, the study findings revealed that, in line with the hypothesis, transactional leadership style had a significant positive relationship with employee job stress; similarly, transformational leadership style also had a significant positive relationship with stress as against the hypothesized significant negative relationship. Again, the findings revealed that female employees did not experience more job stress than their male colleagues. More so, this study’s findings revealed that female transformational leaders cause employee job stress. Finally, it was found that male transactional leaders also cause employees stress, but there was no relationship established between transactional leadership style and stress. The study thus recommended that, managers should consider the use of both transformational and transactional leadership style in the organization. It was also recommended that, social activities like sports and corporate hangouts should be organized frequently to help in managing stress. Additionally courses on time management for staff is also recommended since effective time management techniques are essential means to managing stress.