EXPLORING PREFERRED LEADERSHIP STYLES ACROSS INDUSTRIES: PERSPECTIVES OF FOLLOWERS

Introduction/ Main Objective: This study investigated preferred leadership styles, considered by many to be the most prevalent styles: autocratic, participative, and laissez-faire. We assessed ‘preferred style’ from perspective of follower. The aimed at exploring variations in preference for styles across selected industries, namely food/beverage industry, retail financial industry. Novelty: Leadership perspectives have been divergent angles; but not explored adequately industries. endeavored filling gap literature, provide direction stakeholders, as regards followers’ perspectives.Research Methods: Our convenience sample was a result targeted effort query respondents three distinct samples: retail, restaurant/drink establishments, consumer finance institutions (primarily banks). In addition follower, we also collected demographic data including gender age order get critical insights lenses. survey included leader behavior questions that are borrowed LBDQ XII manual provided Stogdill (1962), involved an examination studies conducted Van Eeden, et al.(2008) examples behaviors attributed various styles.Finding/Results: results were mixed. some analyses, our reflective literature. However, other differed evinced tolerance autocratic leadership, particularly retailing, much against pre-conceived notion. Conclusion: confirmed generally- accepted hypothesis employees industry all prefer participative significantly more than or laissez-faire styles.