Transformational Leadership and Employee Retention among HR Professionals in the Telecommunication Sector: The Mediating Role of Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion
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Abstract
Transformational leaders are often associated with positive outcomes at work, such as increased employee retention and motivation. However, this efficacy is also vital in stressful situations, such as those in the telecommunications sector, where the emotional state of the worker and their ability to respond to the escalating workload are crucial. This research study examines the relationship between transformational leadership and employee retention among senior HR professionals in telecommunication organisations in Islamabad, with a special focus on the mediating effects of burnout and emotional exhaustion. The study is cross-sectional and quantitative, and the data was calculated on the basis of a structured survey, which was administered through a questionnaire to 215 senior HR professionals. The research proposes that organisations cannot stop at discrete explanations of pressure, but must turn to global cultural issues related to overburdened workloads and the latest trend of ‘always-on’ culture. Leadership development plus structural change has to be encouraged to foster a sense of psychological sustainability and long-term participation.
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