A cross-sectional exploration of leadership styles exhibited when facing workplace challenges: qualitative interviews with “the Company’s” managers

Abstract

There are many different challenges that are currently affecting businesses in South Africa in the 21st century. These challenges are volatile, uncertain and complex; they present harsh consequences to businesses across South Africa. It is crucial that an organisation has a leadership style that is strategically capable of identifying, analysing and managing those challenges. This may require the leader to adapt and alter their leadership style. This process is linked to Fiedler’s Theory of Contingency, which states that a leader’s style of leadership is effective when it takes into account the different situation factors, or challenges, which surround the leader. The Contingency Theory states that there is no best style of leadership, but that leadership depends on the situational factors that affect the company.

This research is a cross - sectional exploration of the various challenges that affect a property development company in South Africa. The data was collected using interviews in order to obtain a rich and in-depth understanding of the different challenges and leadership styles used within the company. The research revealed that BEE, managing multiple leadership styles and the age gap within “the Company “were the prominent challenges facing this business. The research found that the CEO’s leadership style did adapt to the challenges faced by the company.