Research Proposal: Exploring Leadership Challenges in Organizations

This research proposal explores the significant challenges faced by leaders in motivating and retaining employees within organizations. It aims to identify the core issues contributing to high attrition rates and propose strategies to enhance employee engagement and productivity. The study investigates the concept of leadership, the challenges of motivating employees, and gaps in existing literature. The methodology includes both primary data from surveys of business leaders and secondary data from credible sources. The research anticipates providing insights into how leaders can address the challenges of employee motivation, suggesting practical solutions for improved organizational outcomes. The ethical considerations and limitations of the research are also addressed, ensuring the confidentiality of data and acknowledging potential constraints in the research process.

Running head: EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES- A RESEARCH STUDY
A Research Proposal
EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES- A RESEARCH STUDY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES-A RESEARCH STUDY
Abstract
The aim of the research is to understand the one of the major challenge of leadership and identify
the problem from the core. Motivating the employees to perform better and increase their
productivity remains an inherent challenge. Therefore, prior to selection of the suitable
candidates, employees must be assessed thoroughly thereby eliminating the attrition in the
organization. The research addresses the issue and supplementing with literature review to fulfil
the demand of the research proposal.

2EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES-A RESEARCH STUDY
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Background of the Study.................................................................................................................3
Research aim and objectives............................................................................................................4
Research questions...........................................................................................................................4
Literature Review............................................................................................................................4
The concept of leadership............................................................................................................4
The challenge of motivating the employees................................................................................5
The literature gap.........................................................................................................................5
Research methodology.....................................................................................................................5
Data analysis method...................................................................................................................6
Ethical Issues...............................................................................................................................6
Research limitations.....................................................................................................................6
Expected Outcome...........................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8

3EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES-A RESEARCH STUDY
Introduction
The prosperity of the business depends upon an intellectual leader who channelizes the
efficiency of human resources towards improved productivity of the organization. A leader plays
a pivotal role in instilling confidence among the employees of the organization to achieve the
larger goals of the organization. A role of a leader can be defined as a catalyzing force which
binds the organization to fulfill the aims and objectives of the organization (Johnson 2017). This
intends to bring motivation among the employees to work and perform better and overachieve
their predefined targets which is essential for the long term sustainability of the organization.
Background of the Study
Leaders inculcate the work culture, vision of the organization and facilitate in improving
the performances of the employees which is necessary for the sustainable business. An effective
leadership helps in retaining productive employees and also reduces the stagnancy prevailing in
the organization (Wang and Hsieh 2013). Adopting innovative practices, reducing the work
pressure for enhancing the quality of work, interactive sessions to sort out the grievances enables
the employees. There are many persisting challenges like developing employees with consistent
mentoring and coaching. The employees often loose motivation and a consistent motivation
becomes a challenge for the leaders to delve deeper into their and be more productive (Wibbeke
and McArthur 2013). The foremost challenge for leaders is the lack of motivation over a
prolonged period of time.

4EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES-A RESEARCH STUDY
Research aim and objectives
The research aims to scrutinize a significant challenge to motivate the employees to
perform and retain them for a longer period of time. Most of the employees join a particular
organization to explore the opportunities, their capabilities however they soon leave their
respective jobs. Many employees sight reason of lack of motivation towards their job which is
hampering the smooth functioning of an organization (Daft 2014). Leaders find difficult to
combat with such a challenge which inherently dynamic human behavior. The high paying jobs
are also witnessing higher attrition rates. Therefore, before hiring any employee it is essential to
understand the larger goal of the employees and their expectations and growth from a particular
job profile (Schuh et al. 2014).
Research questions
1. What is the foremost challenge of a leader in the organization?
2. Why the attrition rate is high and retaining employees is a major obstacle for leaders?
3. What role leaders can play to enhance the motivation and production of the employees?
Literature Review
The concept of leadership
Leadership is a quintessential part of an organization. An organization is build up with
the human resources which needs a guiding light to bring out the best from them. Adequate
leadership is required to bring the best out of the employees thereby reducing the attrition rate.
Higher attrition affects the other employees who often tend to emulate the other employees
(Sharma. and Jain 2013). In order to tackle this a brilliant leadership, consistent interaction with

5EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES-A RESEARCH STUDY
the employees and their due feedback should be taken to reinforce the organization with zeal and
vigor.
The challenge of motivating the employees
Despite brilliant leadership displayed by the leaders of the organization there are many
challenges which frequent the organization demanding smart tackling of the issue. The
employees are more motivated by their job profile than they are motivated by the money
(Kultalahti and Liisa Viitala 2014). An effective leadership promotes the organization as whole
to grow and prosper, meet the dynamic challenges of the current market trend also excel their
competitors in the industry.
The literature gap
The gap in the literature lies despite many prior researches, this topic remained untouched
and needs to be assessed thoroughly to understand the plaguing issues which has emerged in
almost one in three organization.
Research methodology
This study will deploy both primary data and secondary data as a basis of understanding
the major challenge that a leader face in terms of motivating the employees and improving their
productivity. The primary data acquired from a survey done on the leaders of 10 business firms
across different sectors thus the actual sample size will be ten business leaders. Secondary data
will comprise most credible internet information by the industry experts and experienced leaders
in various organization. The overall method will improve the quality of the research factually to
derive a reliable database and information on the subject matter.

6EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES-A RESEARCH STUDY
Data analysis method
A graphical description of data will be used to determine the quantitative data collected
through surveys to validate the aims and objectives of research. The authentic sources of data
must be considered and analyzed accordingly through statistical models to study the depth of the
challenge across diverse businesses. The data will be segregated according to the information
acquired and their opinion and a survey will help to delve deeper into the subject.
Ethical Issues
The diverse ethical issues involved in the research process that no confidential data of a
particular company shall be disclosed nor shared with any of the rival products. The business
might be reluctant to share such critical information affecting their marketing and sales strategy
of the business as they would not share their internal affairs of the company.
Research limitations
The research has few constraints as the time bound process will undermine the real
outcome of the research as the project has a whole will require a long period of time to form
actual conclusions. The sample size also stands a major constraints as the business might not
reveal true data affecting their business. They may exaggerate data or limit it based on their
benefits. Extracting data from rivalries will be equally difficult due to massive amount of ethical
concerns related to the whole process (Bateh et al. 2013). It will also be time consuming process
to get fixed appointments from the business and further convincing them that their data is
completely safe and will not be misused

7EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES-A RESEARCH STUDY
Expected Outcome
It is expected that the research will suggest how leaders faces an immense challenge of
motivating the employees and retain them. The overall research will dissect the issues in details
which is plaguing several organization. The research will also suggest what has been done to
improve the current situation. It will provide adequate subject matter from the real business
world which can be implemented for the benefit of both employees and organization.

8EXPLORING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES-A RESEARCH STUDY
References
Bateh, J., Castaneda, M.E. and Farah, J.E., 2013. Employee resistance to organizational
change. International Journal of Management & Information Systems (Online), 17(2), p.113.
Daft, R.L., 2014. The leadership experience. Cengage Learning.
Johnson, C.E., 2017. Meeting the ethical challenges of leadership: Casting light or shadow. Sage
Publications.
Kultalahti, S. and Liisa Viitala, R., 2014. Sufficient challenges and a weekend ahead–Generation
Y describing motivation at work. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 27(4), pp.569-
582.
Schuh, S.C., Bark, A.S.H., Van Quaquebeke, N., Hossiep, R., Frieg, P. and Van Dick, R., 2014.
Gender differences in leadership role occupancy: The mediating role of power
motivation. Journal of Business Ethics, 120(3), pp.363-379.
Sharma, M.K. and Jain, S., 2013. Leadership management: Principles, models and
theories. Global Journal of Management and Business Studies, 3(3), pp.309-318.
Wang, D.S. and Hsieh, C.C., 2013. The effect of authentic leadership on employee trust and
employee engagement. Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 41(4), pp.613-
624.
Wibbeke, E.S. and McArthur, S., 2013. Global business leadership. Routledge.