Relational Leadership Theory

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1.2.4. Relational-based theories

Relational-Based theories provided the most recent contributions to leadership literature.
Set in the social-exchange framework, this approach is based on the assumption that both leader and followers commit to work together as long as they find their relationship mutually satisfying (Cleveland, Stockdale & Murphy, 2000).
Within this context, several researches have examined the theme of leadership focusing on the reason behind the choice of following a leader. This implies that leadership is more than something established by command: individuals can follow a leader who is not designated by formal authorities as well as they can dishearten a guide who has power for his/her position.

Analyzing this relational …show more content…

As a result, LMX originates an in-out group phenomenon in which effective leadership occurs when, within a broad range of people, few of them voluntarily decide to follow a supervisor with whom they have mutual satisfying social exchanges. As a consequence, all people that are engaged with their leader differentiate themselves from other individuals that do not create positive links with their guide (Figure 4). This “differentiation” both create positive and negative outcomes: a pro is that differentiation enhances work experience of individuals closest to the leader (Henderson et al, 2008) while cons show that it is negatively related to team potency (Ford & Seers, 2006), team atmosphere (Van Breikelen et al, 2012) and that it increases team conflict (De Dreu & Weingart, …show more content…

In particular, idealized influence, is described both by the attributes (e.g. personal traits) assigned to a leader that subordinates want to emulate and by the actual behaviors that a leader acts.
- Inspirational Motivation: it refers to the extent to which a leader is able to inspire and motivate his/her followers by providing a shared meaning and mission (Bass & Riggio, 2006). These leaders demonstrate enthusiasm, optimism and energy and they are able to create commitment to a share goal.
- Intellectual Stimulation: it describes the ability of a leader who is able to increase followers’ efforts at innovation and creativity. It requires leaders’ openness in order to enable subordinates to approach problems in new ways, with no fear of criticism that increases followers’ self-efficacy.
- Individual Consideration: it involves acting as a coach or a mentor in order to invest on followers and in order to take into account their needs and