Leader-follower congruence in proactive personality and work outcomes: The mediating role of leader-member exchange

Zhen Zhang, Mo Wang, Junqi Shi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

403 Scopus citations

Abstract

Drawing upon prior research on proactive personality and person-environment fit, we examine the congruence effect of leader and follower proactive personality on leader-member exchange (LMX) quality, which in turn influences follower job satisfaction, affective commitment, and job performance. Results of cross-level polynomial regressions on 165 dyads supported the congruence effect hypothesis. Further, asymmetrical incongruence effects were found wherein followers had lower-quality LMX and poorer work outcomes when their proactive personality was lower than their leaders' as compared with when their proactive personality was higher. These findings highlight the pivotal role played by leaders in promoting employee proactivity at work.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)111-130
Number of pages20
JournalAcademy of Management Journal
Volume55
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • General Business, Management and Accounting
  • Strategy and Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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