Leadership Styles: Unveiling the Nexus with Service Delivery Performance in South African Municipalities

Description

Page: 505-513

Mamokhere John¹, Mabunda Nhlamulo², Chauke Khensani Richard³, and Netshidzivhani Mmbengeni Victor⁴ (Department of Research Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, South Africa¹,⁴, and Department of Public Administration, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, South Africa²,³)

This study unveils the extent to which leadership styles impact on service delivery performance using Greater Giyani Municipality as a case study. It is argued that ethical leadership in South African municipalities is criticized for lacking, while effective leadership is crucial for enhancing basic service delivery. The problem statement highlights the criticism faced by municipalities for inadequate service provision due to non-democratic leadership styles. The aim is to explore different leadership styles and their impact on service delivery performance using a qualitative research methodology and Servant Leadership Theory. The study evaluates democratic, autocratic, laissez-faire, transformational, transactional, bureaucratic, and servant leadership styles. Democratic leadership, characterized by shared decision-making, is shown to enhance employee morale and community engagement, positively influencing service delivery. Autocratic leadership, in contrast, is self-serving and suppresses creativity, potentially leading to service delivery protests. Laissez-faire leadership, while promoting autonomy, may result in confusion and inefficiencies. Transformational leadership fosters innovation but may lack support for individual learning curves. Transactional leadership focuses on rewards and performance, suitable for routine tasks but may limit innovation. Bureaucratic leadership provides stability but may hinder flexibility and responsiveness. Servant leadership prioritizes team needs, positively impacting service delivery but requires a balance between support and accountability. Challenges affecting leadership in South African municipalities include corruption, political interference, socio-economic inequalities, and a lack of leadership ethics. The study recommends a transformational leadership approach to enhance collaboration, trust, and meaningful participation for improved service delivery in municipalities.