Predominant Leadership Styles Used by SMES In Zimbabwe: A Case of Bulawayo’s Central Business Area

Abstract

The growth and success of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is key to the sustainable development of developing countries such as Zimbabwe where deplorable unemployment rates and gigantic gaps between the rich and the poor are widespread. Although SMEs have the capacity to drive economic growth and act as a panacea to the challenges that have bedevilled many African countries, they suffer from high failure rates caused by lack of managerial skills and inappropriate leadership style. The study sought to identify the predominant leadership styles used by SMEs in Zimbabwe by adopting a quantitative research design where a survey was used. Primary data was collected from 241 participants from Bulawayo’s Central Business Area through the use of a closed-ended questionnaire. The study identified two leadership styles namely selective participation style and directional leadership style that were used by SMEs in Zimbabwe. The study concluded that the predominant leadership style used was the directional leadership style. SMEs leaders are encouraged to identify and use a style that will be appropriate for the situation at hand rather than relying only on one style irrespective of the situation.