Investigating leadership behaviors adopted on conflict resolutions: a case of gold mining production teams in Carletonville

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating leadership behaviours adopted during conflict resolutions in mining production teams in the gold mines Carletonville. The objectives of this study were to determine if leadership behaviours influence conflict resolutions in mining teams and also investigate the type of leadership behaviours mostly adopted in mining production teams. Lastly, the study explained the issues leading to conflicts ion mining production teams. The qualitative research method was applied to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. Interviews of a semi-structured nature were administered to eleven participants at a selected gold mine in Carletonville. Results from this study showed that the response and absence of top management constitutes management’s responses to conflict resolution among employees in gold mining production in Carletonville. In addition, the results showed that the different leadership behaviours are used in conflict resolution among employees in gold mining production teams in Carletonville. The leadership behaviours and styles used in conflict resolution among employees are autocratic leadership, laissez-faire leadership, transactional leadership and transformational leadership. The study found that the majority of employees prefer transformational leadership behaviour during conflict resolution in the mine.Finally,, the study found that dispute over bonuses, lack of motivation, merely autocratic leadership, merely transactional leadership, and poor ground conditions are the major issues leading to conflicts among gold mining production teams. Consequently, the study recommends that autocratic leadership behaviour should be avoided in gold mining production teams. Transactional leadership behaviour should not be overused in gold mining production teams while transformational leadership behaviour should be encouraged. The study also recommends that the managers must attend courses and webinars focusing on competencies such as emotional intelligence, inspiring employees, and sharing the organisations vision with the employees.