The relationship between the transformational leadership style of offices and the levels of other followers' work engagement in the South African army

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to determine whether there is a significant relationship between the transformational leadership styles of officers and their followers’ levels of work engagement. The instruments used in the study were the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) (Form 5X) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Followers (n=311) were identified in various units of the South African Army and provided with the instruments. The work engagement instrument was then completed by each follower, while the MLQ was completed by the follower for his or her specific leader, who in this instance, were all officers in the South African Army. Descriptive statistics were obtained and correlations completed for the data, which indicated a significant correlation between the transformational leadership of officers and their followers’ work engagement.