Organizational health does not emerge by accident. It is shaped intentionally through the leadership styles leaders adopt and the systems organizations build to support performance, decision making, and employee well-being. This accepted practitioner research presentation examines how leadership approaches and organizational systems interact to influence long-term organizational health.
Drawing on a comprehensive review of leadership literature and applied case examples, the research explores how transformational, transactional, and servant leadership styles operate within different organizational structures. The study also examines how systems such as governance frameworks, communication channels, and decision-making processes reinforce or undermine leadership effectiveness. Together, these elements form the foundation of healthy, high-performing organizations.
The presentation highlights best practices observed in organizations that consistently demonstrate performance excellence, resilience, and workforce well-being. Findings emphasize that leadership style alone is not sufficient. Organizational systems must be intentionally aligned to support clarity, accountability, and adaptability. When leadership behaviors and systems work in concert, organizations are better positioned to sustain engagement, manage change, and improve overall health.
Designed for scholars, practitioners, and organizational leaders, this session provides a practical and research-informed lens for understanding how leadership and systems shape organizational outcomes. Attendees will gain insight into how deliberate leadership development and system design can strengthen organizational health across industries.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr. Susan Elkins, University of South Carolina Palmetto College
Dr. Robert Bell, Tennessee Technological University
Join us at the SAM International Business Conference to explore how leadership styles and organizational systems can be leveraged to build healthier organizations. This in-person presentation offers an opportunity to engage with applied research and practical insights that support sustainable organizational performance.
Register to attend the conference at www.samnational.org/conference and be part of the conversations shaping the future of management and organizational health.