The Relationship of Perceived Leadership Styles of North Carolina County Extension Directors' to Job Satisfaction of County Extension Professionals

Abstract

This study examined the relationship of perceived leadership styles of North Carolina County Extension Directors' to job satisfaction of County Extension professionals. The relationship between these two variables and the selected demographics of institution of employment, years of employment, area of specialization, education level, gender, ethnicity and age were examined. Bass and Avolio's, Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (Rater Form), leadership survey instrument, the Mohrman-Cooke-Mohrman Job Satisfaction Scale, and a demographic questionnaire were electronically mailed to 232 randomly selected North Carolina Cooperative Extension professionals. Responses were received from 130 Extension professionals. Using these responses, County Extension Directors perceived transformational and transactional leadership styles were identified. Comparisons were made among the job satisfaction means with each of the leadership styles and based upon the demographics. Results of this study indicate significant differences in the job satisfaction of Extension professionals' based upon the perceived leadership style of their County Extension Director. These differences most often occurred in total job satisfaction. The perceived transformational and transactional leadership behaviors accounted for 32% of the variation in County Extension professionals' total job satisfaction scores. The best two-variable model, LF (Laissez Faire) and IC (Individualized Consideration) explained 45% of the variation of in County Extension professionals' total job satisfaction. Bivariate correlation analyses identified significant associations between perceived leadership behaviors, total job satisfaction and demographic factors. Major findings included:

* Years employed was negatively related to gender;

* Years employed was positively related to age;

* Years employed was negatively related to transformational leadership;

* Years employed was positively related to transactional leadership;

* Age was positively related to transformational leadership;

* Total job satisfaction was positively related to transformational leadership; and

* Total satisfaction was negatively related to transactional leadership.