Examining the Effects of Leadership Style on the Follower's Self-Concept

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Ashley A. Miller (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Advisor

John G. Cope

Abstract: The current study examines the impact of leadership style on the follower's self-concept. Research has shown that certain types of leadership have motivational effects on followers. Specifically charismatic leadership has been shown to elicit high levels of commitment personal sacrifice and performance beyond expectations (Shamir House & Arthur 1993). Furthermore previous research has suggested that these effects occur through activation of the follower's self-concept (Shamir House & Arthur 1993) while more recent research has suggested that the visions that are communicated by charismatic leaders may serve to activate the follower's future-oriented component of the self-concept known as the possible self (Stam van Knippenberg & Wisse 2010). This study examined this latter suggestion by looking at the change in possible selves after an intervention in which the participant viewed a leader's speech classified as transactional transformational or charismatic. A one-way ANOVA on the difference scores of each group was conducted. Results showed that type of speech had no significant effect on change in possible selves. The implications of these results and the potential explanations for it are considered. 

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Date: 2012

Keywords

Occupational psychology, charismatic leadership, leadership style, Possible selves, Self Concept

Subjects

Self-perception

Leadership

Followership

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