THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP STYLE IN ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE (A STUDY OF ABC TRANSPORT COMPANY LTD, OWERRI)

The importance of leadership in an organization cannot be over emphasized. Managers are often challenged with the most appropriate leadership style that will guarantee optimal organizational performance which are Charismatic leadership, Transactional leadership, Transformational leadership, Autocratic leadership, Bureaucratic leadership, Democratic leadership, Team leadership, and Strategic leadership. Motivation, Financial management, Personnel management and Asset Management were found to be areas that ensure high organizational performance and the challenge of leadership is to devise a means that will make those area vibrate. The research was designed using primary data gotten by distributing 200 questionnaires to some of the A.B.C staff as an instrument of data collection. The data were analyzed with chi square to determine if there was a significant relationship with the four areas considered (Motivation, Financial management, Personnel management and Asset Management) and the organizational performance. One way Anova was also used to determine the best leadership style. It was observed that the four areas considered have a positive effect on the organizational performance and that democratic leadership style is the one operated in A.B.C Transport. Consequently, the success of any organization, lies on the leadership style operated, Hence leaders are therefore advised to be well grounded in these approaches and use them appropriately.