IMPACTS OF LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOUR ON SUBORDINATE MOTIVATION

After defining important key terms, this paper shows different types of leadership behaviour by analysing them as action and non-action. While action is defined by conscious, disciplined, long-term goal-oriented behaviour, non-action is characterized by lack of focusing, lack of energy and the disability to cope. Non-action and passiveness are distinguished and different reasons for non-action are shown. Some leaders are non-active due to a lack of focus and tend to lack prioritizing (thematic straying), be driven only by the immediate situational needs only (reactiveness), lack planning and reflection (activism), be unable to develop new plans of action (use of behavioural templates) and lack the ability to translate intentions into actions (state orientation). Other leaders lack the energy to act, caused by the denial of the need for action (defensive avoidance), an inwardly, uninvolved attitude (distanced activity) or the subjective lack of influence (learned helplessness). After these different types of leadership behaviour and its roots are described, a short excursion shows the most important facts and differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. As a result, the different types of leadership behaviour are analysed in regards to their impact on subordinate motivation or demotivation. It is shown, that leadership action tends to be more motivating for employees then non-action, while still bearing some threats. Leadership action can motivate employees by serving as an example, giving orientation and meaning to their tasks. On the other hand, if a leader seems to be too perfect in its behaviour, employees tend to feel inferior and lose their motivation. Leadership non-action does not have any potential to motivate subordinates, even though the different characteristics do have different levels of negative impact on subordinate motivation. As a conclusion, hands-on suggestions are given how leaders should behave in their day-to-day worklife in order to motivate their subordinates.