A case study of leadership in consulting engineering

M.Ing.The aim of this research project is to determine the importance of leadership from engineering managers working in consulting engineering firms. This is achieved by discussing important factors relating to the development of leadership skills in these managers. These important factors are the expertise of engineering managers in practice, leadership from engineering managers, with the required leadership theories and styles, and other factors that contribute to leadership development in engineering managers. The findings were that the use of appropriate leadership styles for the different designated levels of team members is essential. The author of the research project suggested leadership styles from different leadership theories that might be used in managing and leading team members at different designated levels. The appropriateness and adequacy of the suggested leadership styles was tested by developing questionnaires which were to be completed by team members at designated levels. The use of questionnaires led to the reduced amount of leadership styles preferred by team members at their designated levels. The engineering manager who uses the preferred leadership styles by team members tends to achieve goals aligned with the organisation’s vision and mission statement. The alignment of goals with the company’s mission statement and vision leads to a successful organisation. This would also lead to the team members being eager to accomplish their assignments, as well as gaining credibility and achieving organisational goals effectively and efficiently, together with the engineering manager