The Role of Leadership in Transforming the Attitude of Subordinates – A Study Conducted in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

The most common definition of Leadership is that leaders attempt to influence the behavior of their followers. While leaders influence their subordinates, it has been noted that leaders do so along with their perceived organization support. The research question of this paper aimed to find out the effect that leadership practices have on subordinate’s perceived organizational support. The hypothesis of this research revolved around this research question testing the five leadership practices namely: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act and encourage the heart. The survey instruments that were used to measure the effect of leadership practices on subordinate’s perceived organizational support are: 1) Leadership Profile Inventory-other (LPIO) – This instrument was developed in the year 1988 by Kouzes and Posner. 2) Survey of Perceived organizational support (POS) – This instrument was developed in the year 1986 by Eiseberger, Huntington, Hutchinson and Sowa. The sampling technique chosen was convenience sampling. Further, the basis of this literature review were researches conducted in the related field, along with various leadership theories and practices including Kouzes and Posner leadership practices, perceived organizational support based on organizational support theory and social exchange theory. The results of the study identify a positive relationship between the five leadership practices and perceived organizational support. This research will help the organization’s human resource and management to understand the role of leadership along with its importance to influence subordinates. Further, strategies can be devised to motivate and influence the behavior of subordinates for the benefit of the organization.