The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Employee Performance at Work: Employee Motivation as an Intervening Variable
Keywords:
Transformational Leadership, Employee Job Performance, , Employee Motivation, Structural Equation ModelingAbstract
This quantitative study explores the relationship between transformational leadership and workers' job performance, and that of employee motivation as an intervening variable in organizational settings in Pakistan. Drawing from leadership and motivation theories, the research seeks to determine how transformational leadership behaviors such as inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation can improve workers' performance through increasing their motivational levels. A systematic employee survey was carried out across various industries in Pakistan, including manufacturing, service, and tech, to assess leadership perception, motivation, and self-rated job performance. Statistical inference through structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that transformational leadership has a positive and significant influence on employee job performance. Secondly, results reveal that employee motivation mediates this relationship to some extent, suggesting that transformational leaders influence performance outcomes not only directly but also indirectly through energizing and engaging employees by motivational processes. Results point out the promise of transformational leadership in the Pakistani organizational context, where sound leadership practices play a critical role to advance employee outcomes. These results have practical implications for business leaders and HR practitioners who want to develop an energized workforce and maximize organizational performance through leadership development initiatives.