Leadership in the role of motivators and creators of employees performance

The purpose of the article is to highlith a new dimension of business that takes place in completely different conditions and that is based primarily on knowledge, creativity and post-modern leadership. Radical changes, in which today's economy and its entities exist and develop, require the new ways of leadership. Hence the modern form of business articulates and gives a critical dimension of leadership, as an interaction between leaders and employees, with the intention to change it, based more on emotional and ethical assumptions than on forced active influence. The aim of the analysis is to determine the professionalism of leadership treatment of employees and what is the projection of the further trend of these relationships, given that this relationship directly affects the motivation of employees in achieving their performance. Research methods. The research was carried out using common scientific approaches and methods, in particular the empirical method.This paper analyzed the different theoretical and practical approaches to the phenomenon of leadership as a result of the changes within which today’s Serbian business and inverse role of this phenomenon occurs. Relevant employee data was collected using the questionnaire method. For the needs of the research, and based on the literature in the field of leadership and experience of the authors, a questionnaire with 40 questions was developed (this is not a standardized questionnaire model, but a personal projection). Research results. The research resulted in the confirmation of the set hypotheses that the performance of the organizations depends on the style of leadership and the characteristics of employees and that leadership is not only the management but also a psychological problem. Research novelty. Leadership in the future imposes an unwritten rule that some things will never be the same, as well as that some new forms will appear that will improve our knowledge, the systems in which we work and general business environment. New leadership will rely on the complex knowledge and innovations that come from employees. Future leaders will be those who make entrepreneurs out of their employees and who create an atmosphere of direct innovation. Serbian companies need to invest much more in the future development of leaders and managers. The research sheds light on the role and importance of leadership as a direct reflection on changes in employee behavior, motivation and increased performance. Practical significance. The results of this research can be applied in all areas of business and economy. Having in mind the contingent approach, the obtained results can be used as a basis for creating the most efficient leadership style possible. Tabl.: 6. Refs.: 20.