© 2020 IJSRET 1036 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends Volume 6, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2020, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X Nigeria Construction Industry Leadership Style and Adaptability Effectiveness: A Case of Civil Engineers Idiata, D.J Department of Civil Engineering Edo State Polytechnic Usen Edo state, Nigeria djidiata@gmail.com Ehigiamusoe, B.U Department of Civil Engineering Edo State Polytechnic Usen Edo state, Nigeria kingsogie@gmail.com Osagie, E.K Department of Civil Engineering Edo State Polytechnic Usen Edo state, Nigeria ehigiamusoe.bu@edopoly.edu.ng Abstract – The construction industry is an industry that affords various professionals to work together is delivering a project on time, within cost and at the best quality, in other to achieve this leadership plays a critical role in the overall success. This study focuses on the use of Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Model which are telling, selling, participating and delegating styles to assess the type and style of leadership predominant among civil engineers in the Nigerian construction industry. From the study it is observed that among civil engineers the most popular leadership style is the selling type with 72 percent and the next is the telling style with 20 per cent and the most unpopular of the styles is delegating with no one subscribing to this type. The selling leadership style is when the leader directs and closely supervises task accomplishment, but also explains decisions, solicits suggestions and supports progress. This style of leadership tends to promote interaction and communication between the leader and the led fostering team work and understanding. Keywords – Leadership, Team work, Leadership style, Construction industry. I. INTRODUCTION The construction industry is multidisciplinary in its nature; it fosters cooperation between and within many disciplines and collaborating closely with many players, these disciplines includes architects, constructors, engineers, builders, clients whether private or government. To deliver a successful project will be dependent on organization of a well-developed interpersonal skills working at different hierarchy on other to meet every and various leadership and performance issues [1]. Leadership is critical to the overall successful performance of any enterprise, business, and it is even much more important to the construction industry due to its diversity nature [2]. According to Toor & Ofori [3], leadership is said to be the outcome due to the leader’s self-related cognitive information, personality traits, motives, and understanding the operating situation or condition. Leadership style proposed by researchers can be categorized to include the following: democratic, autocratic, consultative, and joint decision making types [4]. In other to improve effective planning, cost control and project delivery, the construction industry came up with project and construction management concept [5]. Liphadzi, Aigbavboa and Thwala, [2] are apt in saying that Leadership is one of the most important and essential factors in project and construction management. Table -I: The basic comparison between Leadership and Management