Leadership Styles and Their Impact on Employee Engagement: A Longitudinal Study in the IT Industry (2017-2023)

Abstract

One of the most important factors that drive productivity as well as job satisfaction and retention in IT industry is employee engagement. This study examines the influence of various leadership styles, including transformational, transactional,-servant, and laissez-faire leadership, on employees' engagement trends from 2017 to 2023. Through surveys, interviews, and HR metrics, the researchers collected data from IT professionals across startups, mid-sized firms, and big companies, using a longitudinal research approach. The results suggest that transformational and servant leadership account for the highest rates of engagement overall; transactional leadership high moderate engagement with variance, and laissez-faire leadership correlates with disengagement. The analysis points to the need for adaptive leadership approaches that integrate strategy with employee-focused programs. They also provide guidelines to IT companies to implement leadership development programs, bolster employee wellness initiatives and adapt hybrid business models. Further study is needed in areas such as AI-driven leadership, specialization within the IT field, and changing leadership trends in distributed work environments that inform long-term engagement strategies.