TY - JOUR
T1 - Differentiating transformational and non-transformational leaders on the basis of neurological imaging
AU - Balthazard, Pierre A.
AU - Waldman, David
AU - Thatcher, Robert W.
AU - Hannah, Sean T.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA award number N10P20006 ) and the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA award number W911SD-08-P-0671 ). We are also grateful to Carl Senior, Nick Lee, Michael Butler and three anonymous reviewers for their insightful suggestions and constructive criticism.
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of using neurological imaging to classify transformational leaders, versus non-transformational leaders, as identified through existing psychometric methods. Specifically, power spectral analysis measures based on electroencephalograms (EEG) were used to develop and validate a discriminant function that can classify individuals according to their transformational leadership behavior. Resting, eyes closed EEG was recorded from 19 scalp locations for 200 civilian and military leaders. We also assessed follower or peer perceptions of transformational leadership through the use of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Our discriminant analysis, which involved a two-step, neural variable reduction and selection process, was 92.5% accurate in its classification of leaders. Patterns in the spectral measures of the brain of leaders, including activity and network dynamic metrics, are discussed as potential correlates of transformational leadership behavior. The current work provides a better understanding of the latent and dynamic neurological mechanisms that may underpin the transformational leadership qualities of individuals.
AB - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of using neurological imaging to classify transformational leaders, versus non-transformational leaders, as identified through existing psychometric methods. Specifically, power spectral analysis measures based on electroencephalograms (EEG) were used to develop and validate a discriminant function that can classify individuals according to their transformational leadership behavior. Resting, eyes closed EEG was recorded from 19 scalp locations for 200 civilian and military leaders. We also assessed follower or peer perceptions of transformational leadership through the use of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Our discriminant analysis, which involved a two-step, neural variable reduction and selection process, was 92.5% accurate in its classification of leaders. Patterns in the spectral measures of the brain of leaders, including activity and network dynamic metrics, are discussed as potential correlates of transformational leadership behavior. The current work provides a better understanding of the latent and dynamic neurological mechanisms that may underpin the transformational leadership qualities of individuals.
KW - Discriminant analysis
KW - Social cognitive neuroscience
KW - Transformational leadership
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U2 - 10.1016/j.leaqua.2011.08.002
DO - 10.1016/j.leaqua.2011.08.002
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84858293712
VL - 23
SP - 244
EP - 258
JO - Leadership Quarterly
JF - Leadership Quarterly
SN - 1048-9843
IS - 2
ER -