Leader personality traits and employee job satisfaction in the media sector, Kenya

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of leader personality traits on employee job satisfaction. A leader personality trait on employee job satisfaction remains a cause of concern in the contemporary business environment. Design/methodology/approach The study employed an explanatory research design to establish the cause-effects between leader personality traits and employee job satisfaction. Path goal theory and Big Five-factor model of personality traits underpinned the study. Questionnaire was used to obtain data pertaining to the model’s constructs. A multiple regression equation model tested the hypotheses. Findings The study showed that leader extraversion; openness to new experiences; emotional stability; conscientiousness and agreeableness have significant effects on employee job satisfaction. The study thus concluded that leaders who portray extraversion; openness to new experiences; emotional stability; conscientiousness and agreeableness enhance employee job satisfaction. Research limitations/implications This study was only limited to leader personality traits and employee job satisfaction; as such further research area could be undertaken in leader personality traits and organizational adaptation to change. Practical implications Leaders need to communicate to employees effectively, listen to their input and feedback, mentoring and empowering them, be innovative and creative, embracing the determination of standards for task performance and be empathetic. Social implications As organizations are exposed to changes, not only to prosper but also to survive in the current dynamic changing environment, leaders must be cognizant of the fact that employee job satisfaction is the bedrock of sustainable organizational performance. Originality/value The paper enhances on how leader personality traits (Big Five-factor model of personality traits) affects employee job satisfaction and performance in organizations.