INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ORGANISATIONAL DIVERSITY AND PERFORMANCE: A MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This research examines how inclusive leadership influences organisational diversity and performance in Nigeria, focusing on the mediating role of workplace diversity in this relationship. Using survey data from 365 employees across 10 organisations in Nigeria (83% response rate), the study applies multi-model regression analysis to investigate these dynamics. The findings reveal that inclusive leadership significantly improves organisational performance both directly and indirectly by fostering greater workplace diversity. Diversity emerges as a critical mediating mechanism, amplifying the positive impact of inclusive leadership on performance outcomes. These results extend the literature on inclusive leadership by demonstrating that diversity is not simply a consequence of inclusive practices but an essential pathway through which leadership drives organisational success. The study provides actionable insights for leaders and policymakers aiming to improve organisational performance by cultivating inclusive workplaces that actively value and leverage diversity. Practical implications include the need for leadership development initiatives to emphasise inclusive behaviours, alongside organisational strategies that prioritise diversity as a core driver of performance.