The Effect of Soft Skills For Leadership on Workplace Well-being

Analytical exploratory study for the opinions of a sample of workers at Al-Etihad Food Industries Ltd.

A Thesis Submitted To The Council of College of Administration & Economics  University of Karbala, as A Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for Master

 Degree  in Business Administration Sciences

By

Rahman Taher Jaber Al-Salhi

Supervisor

Ass. Pro. Dr.  Saleh Mahdi Al-Hasnawi

Abstract

     This study aimed to identify the impact of the variable of soft leadership skills on workplace well-being among a sample of employees at Al-Etihad Food Industries Company Limited. Soft leadership skills were measured through six dimensions: communication skills, teamwork skills, planning and organizational skills, leadership skills, personal mastery skills, and initiative skills. In contrast, workplace well-being was measured through three dimensions: positive affect, negative affect, and achievement factor. The study’s problem originated from the need to understand the interrelationship and mutual influence between soft leadership skills and workplace well-being at Al-Etihad Food Industries Company, and how these skills can be used to enhance positive aspects and address negative aspects in the work environment, including dealing with work pressure, tension, and stress. To achieve the results, the study relied on an exploratory analytical approach to collect and analyze data, using a questionnaire as the main tool for data collection. The study sample included 159 respondents from the employees of Al-Etihad Food Industries Company Limited in Babel Governorate. The study also relied on a set of statistical methods including normal distribution test, confirmatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling using AMOS V.25, Microsoft Excel, and SPSS V.25. The study concluded with several findings, most notably that soft leadership skills significantly impact workplace well-being at the company level. This conclusion reflects companies’ recognition of the importance of developing these skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership capabilities, as they contribute to building strong and effective work teams. By enhancing effective communication and good leadership, these skills can improve understanding and cooperation among team members, positively affecting employee performance and increasing their satisfaction and happiness at work. Based on these findings, the study presented several recommendations, the most important of which is the full investment in soft leadership skills to enhance and benefit from them in achieving well-being, satisfaction, and commitment at work.

*Keywords:* soft leadership skills, workplace well-being, Al-Etihad Food Industries Company Limited in Babel Governorate.