Situational Leadership and Managerial Effectiveness: A Study of Adaptive Leadership Approaches for Nigeria

Leadership effectiveness remains a critical concern for organizations operating in dynamic and
complex environments. In Nigeria, businesses, public sector agencies, and non-profit
organizations frequently face resource constraints, infrastructural deficits, socio-political
instability, and rapidly changing operational contexts, which challenge traditional fixed-style
leadership approaches. This study examines the relationship between situational leadership and
managerial effectiveness, focusing on adaptive leadership approaches that align leadership
behaviour with follower readiness and organizational context. Using a descriptive survey design,
data were collected from 360 participants, including managers and subordinate staff, across
selected public, private, and non-profit organizations in Lagos, Anambra, and Kaduna States.
Likert-scale questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were employed to capture quantitative
and qualitative insights. Findings indicate that coaching and supportive leadership styles have the
strongest positive influence on managerial effectiveness, while directive and delegating styles
exert moderate effects. Furthermore, follower readiness and supportive organizational context
significantly moderate the impact of situational leadership on managerial performance, explaining
62% of variance in managerial effectiveness. The study concludes that adaptive leadership is a
vital determinant of managerial effectiveness in Nigerian organizations, emphasizing the need for
context-sensitive leadership development, ethical decision-making, and institutional support
mechanisms to enhance organizational performance.

Funding: This is self-funded research.

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Ethics Approval: Not_applicable

Data Availability: Data will be made available upon reasonable request.

AI-Assisted Writing: No AI tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.