Investigating employee perceptions of leadership communication : a South African study

Abstract

There has been extensive communication research conducted from a leader’s point of view regarding how leaders form an integral part in organisations but not a lot of research investigating leadership, and specifically leadership communication from the viewpoint of employees (i.e. specifically as followers). The purpose of the study is to investigate employee perceptions of leadership communication. This was firstly done by conducting a literature review on key aspects and secondly through a newly developed e-mail survey questionnaire conducted with employees of different South African business organisations. Quantitative data was collected from three hundred and seventeen (317) employees as participants and the raw data was analysed using statistical computer software. The findings of the study were reported through descriptive statistics and a factor analysis. The study revealed that South African employees perceive that leaders do not correctly utilise leadership communication and that leaders do not understand what it means to be a ‘communicating leader’. Organisations should therefore implement training and development programmes for all individuals within leadership positions which will develop communicating leaders that are aware of what they are lacking and where they can improve themselves within their organisational environments.