The Effect of Leadership Styles on Business Performance on Florida SMEs: A Qualitative Case Study

The purpose of this qualitative multi-case study was to evaluate SME leaders’ leadership styles and how they may affect the performance of their businesses. Existing research suggests that there is a need for more research on the relationship between leadership styles and business performance. To add, further research is necessary to determine what leadership styles are most effective in SMEs. The concept for this study was inspired in part by years of observations of SMEs that are thriving while there are also some throughout the state of Florida that continuously struggle. The findings from this study suggested that it is important for leaders of SMEs to understand that implementing coaching, development, incentives, and training for their employees is not enough, employees also want to follow in their leader’s footsteps. Leadership self-assessments would create awareness in leaders about their strengths and weaknesses in communication, negotiation, problem-solving, change management, coaching and mentoring. Incorporating additional education options, leadership training, or seminars for themselves may help SME leaders to build better relationships with the employees within their organizations. Additional research should be to conduct a study on SME leaders who own a new or existing business in other states or even a national study. Future research should be conducted on a similar study face-to-face with the SME leaders, a focus group with a panel of SME leaders, and replicating this study with a greater variety of verticals or industries with different demographics and a broader population and sample