Andrea Derler and Jürgen Weibler
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between leaders’ work context and their prototypical implicit follower theories (pIFT). The authors assume a dual…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between leaders’ work context and their prototypical implicit follower theories (pIFT). The authors assume a dual structure of pIFT and argue that leader preferences for certain employee traits and behaviours are influenced by their perception of the prevailing market conditions and organizational coordination mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted via an online-questionnaire with 182 US leaders from different industries. It surveyed leader's preferences for abstract and specific employee traits and behaviours, as well as their perceptions of the explorative and exploitative elements in their work context. To test for associations of corresponding variables representing leaders’ context and their employee prototype, data analysis was performed via multiple linear regression analysis.
Findings
The paper provides evidence for associations between leaders’ pIFT and their work context. The data suggest that leaders who perceive their organizational work environment as formalized consider Enthusiasm (p=0.003) and the pursuit of exploitative activities (p=0.023) as important employee characteristics, and those who experience the market conditions as dynamic show a preference for Good Citizenship behaviours (p=0.027) and the search for explorative activities (p=0.034). In terms of control variables the authors found that more mature leaders favour both exploration and exploitation in employees, while managers of larger teams emphasize exploitation in their pIFT.
Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted with leaders in the USA; results are cross-sectional and representative for for-profit organizations. Potential limitations arise from a lack of generalizability of the results to others forms of organizations, cultures and work settings.
Practical implications
The paper provides the outline of an “ideal employee profile” for the leaders in the sample and describes potential implications of pIFT for organizational strategy relating to personnel-related decisions.
Originality/value
This study provides the first empirical link between leaders’ ideal employee image and work context, and enables a deeper understanding of the structure and content of pIFT.
Details
Keywords
Wendelin Küpers and Jürgen Weibler
This paper seeks to investigate the significance of emotions in transformational leadership (TL), particularly the explicit and implicit coverage of emotional dimensions and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to investigate the significance of emotions in transformational leadership (TL), particularly the explicit and implicit coverage of emotional dimensions and emotional intelligence (EI) competencies within the specific components of TL. The goal is to contribute an extension to the concept of TL.
Design/methodology/approach
Systematically, the paper reveals the coverage and emotional ties of TL as operationalised through the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). For analysing the emotional quality of the MLQ an interpretative method is used. This hermeneutic and qualitative investigation shows which emotions, respectively dimensions, functions and effects of emotions are entailed in the specific components. Then, based on a comparison of a refined EI framework, EI competencies are related to specific dimensions of TL.
Findings
The interpretative analysis shows that the TL and the MLQ have not integrated emotions and emotional competencies systematically. Facing conceptual deficits and various omissions, the paper proposes that emotions and emotional competencies should be reconsidered more comprehensively in the debate surrounding TL and its corresponding instruments.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited in using only the MLQ as a reference point for TL and Goleman's EI framework. Other instruments for measuring TL and EI might reveal different results. Research implications with regard to methodology and contents for future research are outlined.
Practical implications
Practical implications for reducing the identified weaknesses in integrating emotions into TL are offered.
Originality/value
The paper offers important clarifications and reasons for a necessary extension of TL. It shows systematically the deficits concerning the neglected emotional dimensions in TL and opens up perspectives for integrating them. With this it is contributing to the advancement of the conventional leadership discourse and research on TL in particular.
Details
Keywords
Steven D. Raymer, James Dobbs, Christopher P. Kelley and Douglas R. Lindsay
This paper examines the evolution of the core academic leader development course at the United States Air Force Academy. The course serves as a key part of student leadership…
Abstract
This paper examines the evolution of the core academic leader development course at the United States Air Force Academy. The course serves as a key part of student leadership development integrated into all four years of a student’s education and their roles within the organization. The curriculum focuses on skills, character, and critical thinking in leadership contexts. The desired effect is to engage students where they are in their development and to train them in the practice of effective, professional team leadership within their teams and the larger organization. Assessment strategies such as reflection, journaling, self-assessment, and practiced application of course material are designed to fit into students’ leadership experiences so students apply what they learn in an immediate, relevant context.