The impact of managerial leadership in strategic direction on organizational effectiveness

• Main Author: Powell, William R
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Effectiveness; Employees; Leadership; Management; Polls & surveys; Social structure; Strategic management; Strategic planning; Studies; System theory
• ISBN: 9780542499623; 0542499622

The focus of this exploratory research study was to determine the relationship between organizational leadership and strategic direction. The research problem addressed within this study focuses on leaders' consistent struggle with how to make organizations effective and facilitate their respective growth. Both leaders as well as organizational members are most interested in learning about how their respective organization can be successful but often become frustrated with their inability to understand how they can contribute to increasing organizational effectiveness and assisting in organizational growth. The study was carried out in a two-phased approach; first a qualitative phase was accomplished via focus group discussion sessions and subsequent analysis to provide a foundation for the quantitative phase, which was carried out via a survey instrument to measure organizational membership perceptions. The results of this study led to the identification of specific enablers and detractors that could facilitate leaders' ability to create and communicate strategic direction to organizational members creating an empowered workforce that understands the organization's desired future state. Five specific conclusions evolved from the study; adopt a positive orientation to instill trust and commitment, concentrate on what could be rather than on what is, take an active role in establishing focus and maintaining the initiative, create a learning environment that fosters both individual and organizational growth, and provide meaningful communication. Two specific themes emerged from these conclusions; leadership tendencies and behaviors impact organizational direction and communication is the thread that holds the organization together. This study also advances the understanding of leadership by uncovering that there is no definitive association between organizational effectiveness and growth. The positive social impact of these conclusions is identification of specific enablers leaders can use to create strategic direction and empower employees to improve organizational effectiveness.