Transformational Leadership Impact on Employee Motivation in the Public Sector

Low employee motivation remains a critical challenge in the public sector in the United States, directly impacting service quality and organizational effectiveness. A 2021 report found U.S. federal employees had lower engagement levels than private-sector counterparts, raising concerns about productivity and public trust (Alms, 2021). This study systematically reviews 22 peer-reviewed articles from the Business Source Complete database to explore the impact of transformational leadership on employee motivation in public administration. The articles indicate transformational leadership enhances intrinsic motivation by aligning employee values with organizational goals through a clear vision, intellectual stimulation, and personalized support. However, practical challenges, including bureaucratic constraints and resistance to change, require targeted leadership training programs focusing on public service motivation and ethical decision-making. Future research can integrate quantitative methods to analyze leadership behaviors with qualitative studies exploring trust-building, ethical leadership, and employee perceptions in diverse public sector settings. This systematic review underscores the significant potential of transformational leadership to improve engagement, job satisfaction, innovation, and public service effectiveness, strengthening workforce performance, employee well-being, and organizational success in public administration.