Transformational Leadership and Performance of Public Universities in Kenya

ABSTRACT : This study was on transformational leadership and performance of public universities in Kenya. The study was based on four specific objectives namely, idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, and inspirational motivation. To strengthen the conceptual framework the study employed the use of theories such as transformational leadership theory, social exchange theory, leader member exchange theory and goal setting theory. This study adopted a quantitative research design. Survey research designs provide a quantitative or numeric description of trends, attitudes or opinions of a population by studying a sample of that population.The study findings showed that variables idealized influence and intellectual stimulation have no significant effect on performance of public universities in Kenya, whereas variables individualized consideration and inspirational motivation have a significant effect on performance of public universities in Kenya. The study recommends that Human Resources should develop policies and practices relating to transformational leadership and performance. This can be done by developing training and development programs for leaders or managers in public universities that allow for teamwork and knowledge sharing with subordinates to increase employee engagement to their organizations. Organization leaders should arouse their employees’ curiosity about work and enhance their performance through intellectual stimulation. The following specific recommendations are made in line with the findings of the study; Managers in public universities intending to boost their organizations performance through transformational leadership should focus on the three transformational leadership behaviors of inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration which were found to be significant for organizational performance