Strategies for Sustaining Motivation among Front-Line Leaders: An Exploratory Case Study

Front-line leaders working in the manufacturing industry lack the knowledge of transformational leadership skills that would inspire engagement in sustainable strategies for a long-term future. The purpose of this case study was to explore the online transformational leadership training among front-line leaders and its influence on motivation and commitment toward sustainable strategies. Theories of organizational change, Maslows' hierarchy of needs, and transformational leadership served as foundations for this study. The research question was to determine the degree to which transformational leadership inspires commitment and motivation to engage in a continuous, sustainable future among manufacturing front-line leaders. Open-ended questionnaires within a computer-based online leadership training exercise were used to gather data from 23 front-line leaders in the southeastern region of the United States. Data were analyzed and coded and dominant themes emerged: (a) participants embraced transformational leadership strategies; (b) leadership competencies were important for success as strategies change, and (c) training increased self-awareness and elevated developmental needs. The implications for positive social change are to provide business and community leaders with a deeper understanding of transformational leadership that will improve front-line leadership skills, motivation, and commitment toward sustainable strategies that might expand from professional environments, to personal and community environments.