Authentic Leadership's Influence on Performance and Positive Psychological Capital

Abstract

Real leadership has received significant research interest and support over the past decade. Now is the time to improve and better understand how it affects performance. This study investigates the mediating role of positive psychological capital follower (PsyCap) and the mediating role that leader-member exchange (LMX) can play in influencing the relationship between real leadership and follower performance. Specifically, we tested this moderator model with matching data from 794 followers and their direct leaders. We found that real driving is positively associated with LMX, and thus follower performance, and, to a greater extent, among followers with low and non-high levels of PsyCap. Our discussion highlights the benefits of understanding the roles of relational processes and the positive psychological resources of followers involved in real leadership effectiveness and how they can be implemented in practice.