The relationship between leadership and performance management : a case of Kgatleng land board (Botswana)

Abstract

The Land Board has been. experiencing delays in allocation of land to the applicants. Some applicants have been waiting for land allocation for over 12 years. Other challenges faced by the Land Board include poor records management that has led to double allocation. After identification of these challenges faced by the Land Board, the researcher was convinced that the challenges faced by the Land Board could be addressed through performance management. The current study therefore focuses on leadership practices at the Land Board and how these impact on performance management. The study was narrowed to Kgatleng Land Board. The study sought to establish the level of understanding with regard to Performance Management System (PMS), roles allocation, explore the link between - leadership and performance management as well as identification of the appropriate leadership model that can enable the organisation to better manage performance. A questionnaire was designed and administered to the employees of Kgatleng Land Board. The findings from the study revealed that employees did not fully understand the PMS concept, that the PMS initiative did not have full top management support, leadership did not have full possession of the required qualities, attributes and characteristics to enable fully managed organisational performance, leadership style practiced by the leadership was undesirable, and the employees did not know how the PMS initiative functioned within the organisation. The findings led to the conclusion that the employees need to be educated about the importance and rationale of the PMS initiative and how it functions, that there is need for full management support with regard to the implementation of the PMS initiative, a conducive leadership approach should be adopted, and the organisation should ensure that those in leadership positions have the desirable leadership qualities, characteristics and attributes.