Abstract

This paper examines the impact of leadership styles on entrepreneur orientations. Utilizing a theoretical approach, the paper noted that leadership is the bed rock of every organizational success and enhance productivity. Some types of leadership style noted are: transformational, transactional, entrepreneurial, autocratic leadership styles, among others. Dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation identified are: Innovativeness, risk taking, and pro-activeness, autonomy and competitive aggressiveness. The paper notes that effective leaders in business build organizations that withstand uncertainty, change, and competitions. Also noted is that different leadership styles affect effectiveness and performance and entrepreneurial orientation of leaders. The paper concluded that while different leadership styles may affect business performance, transformational leadership with higher entrepreneurial orientation contribute to higher business innovativeness and performance. It is recommended that managers of business organizations should develop themselves appropriately to gain general knowledge on when to apply a particular or combination of different leadership styles to effectively move the organization forward to achieve stated business goals and objectives. Newly starting entrepreneurs and business leaders should seek out development opportunities to improve their transformational leadership and entrepreneurial leadership skills to enable them successfully steer their organizations and develop the required relationship with employees that will make them loyal, committed and willing to follow the leader.