Transformational Leadership Impact on Job Satisfaction: Working Graduate Student Perspectives

About the Study

This qualitative research study explored the perceptions of working graduate students at a private Canadian university regarding the impact of transformational leadership (TL) on their job satisfaction, particularly in the context of rising living costs in Canada.

Methodology

Open-ended questions were distributed via email questionnaires to graduate students at a small Canadian private university. The questions focused on leaders’ abilities to inspire, support, communicate effectively, and provide individualized attention to employees.

Findings

• Eight leader characteristics were identified as positively impacting job satisfaction through data triangulation.
• Leaders who demonstrated inspirational motivation, idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration directly and positively influenced students’ job satisfaction, leading to improved organizational performance.
• While academic studies remain the priority for graduate students, balancing work, family support, and tuition payments is essential.
• The transformational leadership style motivated students to perform better in their jobs while maintaining higher satisfaction, enabling them to balance work and study effectively.
• Results indicated that students performed better under transformational leadership.

Implications

This action research provides valuable insights for leaders supporting graduate students who work and study simultaneously. Further studies on graduate students’ job satisfaction in different locations are recommended for broader investigation.