RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ASSERTIVE LEADERSHIP LEVELS AND EMPLOYEES’ STRESS LEVELS IN A COLOMBIAN SERVICE COMPANY

Abstract

Despite advancements in research on work stress and its relationship with leadership, gaps remain in our understanding of how assertive leadership can mitigate employee stress. This study aimed to delve deeper into this relationship by identifying the underlying mechanisms through which assertive leadership contributes to reducing work-related stress. Addressing this gap is crucial not only for improving employee well-being but also for strengthening organizational health, enhancing talent retention, and boosting business competitiveness. Adopting a mixed-methods design and an explanatory scope, this study employed an assertive leadership questionnaire and a work stress test based on a Likert-type scale to measure the variables of interest. The results indicate that managers’ higher perceived assertive leadership levels are associated with lower stress levels among their team members. Specifically, team members with mild stress tend to perceive high assertive leadership levels, those with moderate or high stress often perceive moderate leadership levels, and those without stress exhibit mixed perceptions of assertive leadership, ranging from high to moderate levels.

These findings reveal a strong association between assertive leadership and work stress levels, underscoring the importance of fostering effective leadership as a strategy for improving work environments and organizational well-being. However, assertive leadership is not a universal solution for managing work-related stress. Its effectiveness depends on contextualized implementation that takes into account both team characteristics and workplace demands.