Authentic Leadership and Silence: Role of Commitment

The study investigated the link betwixt authentic leadership (AL) and employee silence (ES): role of affective commitment (AC) as mediator. Based on SET theory, the research adopted a descriptive survey design and the population consisted of eleven thousand six hundred and sixty-one employees of Local Government Areas in Delta State, Nigeria. Using Yamane formula gave sample size of 387, which were selected from the populace using a simple random sampling technique. Data were gathered with the aid of an organized questionnaire and analyses were performed with the aid of STATA statistical software. Descriptive statistics performed included simple percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Inferential statistics involved analyzing the measurement and structural models via structural equation modeling. The measurement model was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach alpha coefficient, average variance extracted, composite reliability and discriminant validity. Hypotheses were tested by looking at the path coefficients involving both direct and indirect effects. Sobel's test was used to determine whether the indirect effect has significance. Findings revealed that AC and AL were negative and significantly related to ES. Further, AL was positive and significantly related to AC. Finally, AC fully mediated AL and ES. The study recommended that the Delta State Local Government Commission should initiate leadership development programs in an attempt to promote AL, and improve AC. This initiative will decrease ES.