AN INQUIRY INTO THE INFLEUNCE OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA’S BANKING SECTOR

Abstract

This research studies the influence of strategic leadership on employee productivity in Nigerian banks. Contemporary human resource management challenges have shifted the emphasis of leadership to strategic leadership. While leadership is about inspiring people towards achieving goals, strategic leadership involves purposefully motivating and driving people to achieve goals. Given the need for productivity, strategic leadership becomes more important. This research aims to discover essential skills for strategic leaders within Nigerian banks.

The research adopts a qualitative methodology, collecting data through interviews. The researcher conducted interviews with 7 bankers across different banks in Nigeria. The research reveals that strategic leaders possess skills necessary for change management, innovation and creativity, goal attainment, and employee productivity. Strategic leaders leverage communication, interpersonal relationships, teamwork, exploring strengths/weaknesses, and supervision to drive employees towards achieving goals.

Additionally, the research highlights the value of exemplary leadership. Exemplary leaders motivate and teach employees through their actions, building positive habits and work ethics amongst employees. Thus, exemplary leadership emerges as one of the most significant findings in this research, enhancing employee productivity.

The research recommends, amongst other things, that leaders imbibe strategic leadership skills to effectively motivate employees towards productivity.