EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP AND ITS EFFECT ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON EMPLOYEE INNOVATION SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP THEORIES

Abstract

This study investigates how autonomous leadership affects employee success in Chinese workplaces by using innovation skills as a link. The goal of this study is to find out how leadership styles that encourage independent thought and strong leadership can make employees more creative and productive by looking at the results of these leadership styles. Structured surveys were sent to 857 people as part of a scientific method to collect data. SPSS and factor analysis were used to look at the data. Researchers have found that workers' creative skills are a good and statistically significant part of the link between leaders who give workers power and their success. Leadership practices that encourage independence and personal responsibility create an environment at work that is good for imagination, which eventually results in better work from employees. According to the results, empowerment strategies can work with China's social norms, which are based on hierarchy and cooperation. After thinking about this, it's possible that well-thought-out leadership programmes are an important part of how well a group works. This research helps us understand the connection between leadership and performance by focusing on the role of innovation skills as a bridge. It also gives Chinese managers useful tips for creating an innovative workplace. The results support leadership development programmes that emphasise staff autonomy, inventive thinking, and communication to sustain competitive advantages in changing consumer markets. Especially in China's dynamic economy, empowering leadership promotes innovation and staff productivity, according to the report.