The Impact of Transformational Leadership Communication on Personal Leadership of Administrative Staff in Higher Education: A Case Study

Purpose – The aim of this study is to investigate how communication styles of transformational leaders affect the personal leadership of administrative employees. Aim – The paper aims to identify aspects of transformational leader communication that enhance personal leadership among administrative employees in higher education. Methodology – Research data was collected by a survey. The study sample consists of administrative staff from state University operating in Lithuania (N=115). Statistical data analysis, including the chi-square (χ2) test, Student's t-test, ANOVA, Smirnov-Kolmogorov test, Shapiro-Wilk test, and Spearman correlation (r) was conducted using SPSS Statistics 20. Findings – The study findings indicate that communication characteristic of transformational leadership promotes personal leadership, loyalty, job satisfaction, and positively impact organizational climate. Some aspects of transformational leadership differ by demographic factors such as gender, age and position Limitations of the study – The study acknowledges certain limitations, including the subjective nature of survey responses and the focus on a single organization's administrative staff, which may limit the generalizability of the results. Originality/value – This study is among the few exploring the impact of transformational leader communication on administrative employees' personal leadership, particularly within the context of Lithuanian organizations, and by analyzing demographic differences in this regard. It provides new insights into the importance of transformational leadership and its practical benefits in organizations. The research outcomes can assist organizational leaders in understanding how their communication can influence employees' personal leadership qualities. This understanding may lead to practical outcomes such as improved organizational structure, enhanced teamwork, and increased productivity.