An Analysis of the Relationship Between Leadership Styles and Community Development in Selected Counties of the Alabama Black Belt

Abstract

Leadership styles are surmised to influence community development. The study, therefore, assessed the relationship between leadership styles and community development in selected Black Belt Counties of Alabama. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 38 locally elected officials, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The most dominant leadership style selected was participating; followed by telling and selling, with identical ratings; delegating; autocratic, and democratic. The most preferred economic indicators were improving the physical infrastructure and constructing a 24-hour health facility. Additionally, participants indicated that constructing or improving of an industrial park; locating a manufacturing company, and locating a tier-1 automobile supplier are important facets of community development. Furthermore, the more preferred educational factor was providing after school programs, and the more preferred social factor was providing recreational facilities. The regression results revealed that of the economic indicators, democratic leadership style had the most relative importance; of the educational indicators, telling leadership style had the most relative importance, and of the social indicators, delegating leadership style had the most relative importance. For the overall community development indicator, democratic leadership style had the most relative importance.

Keywords: Leadership Styles, Leadership, Community Development, Black Belt