Influence of Leadership Style on Project Team Performance in Telecommunications Companies in Lagos, South West Nigeria

Leadership style significantly shapes team cohesion, motivation, and performance outcomes in project environments, yet empirical evidence from the Nigerian telecommunications sector is limited. This study examines the influence of leadership style on project team performance in selected telecommunications companies in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design will survey 220 project team members and project managers from MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, and Glo Mobile's Lagos offices. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X) will assess transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership styles, while the Project Team Performance Scale (PTPS) will measure team effectiveness, innovation, and delivery success. Regression analysis will determine the relative influence of each leadership style on team performance. Existing studies from the Nigerian telecom sector suggest that transformational leadership is positively associated with agile project delivery and employee satisfaction. This study will contribute industry-specific evidence to guide leadership development programs within telecom companies and inform project management curriculum design at Nigerian universities and professional certification bodies. Keywords: leadership style, project team performance, telecommunications, Lagos, transformational leadership