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Predicting unit performance by assessing transformational and transactional leadership.

Bernard M. Bass¹; Bruce J. Avolio²; Dong I. Jung³; Yair Berson⁴

¹ Binghamton University · ² U Nebraska, Dept of Management, Lincoln, NE, US · ³ San Diego State University · ⁴ Polytechnic U, Inst for Technology & Enterprise, Brooklyn, NY, US

How do leadership ratings collected from units operating under stable conditions predict subsequent performance of those units operating under high stress and uncertainty? To examine this question, the authors calculated the predictive relationships for the transformational and transactional leadership of 72 light infantry rifle platoon leaders for ratings of unit potency, cohesion, and performance for U.S. Army platoons participating in combat simulation exercises. Both transformational and transactional contingent reward leadership ratings of platoon leaders and sergeants positively predicted unit performance. The relationship of platoon leadership to performance was partially mediated through the unit's level of potency and cohesion. Implications, limitations, and future directions for leadership research are discussed.

DOI

10.1037/0021-9010.88.2.207

Volume

88 (2)

Pages

207-218

Language

en

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BibTeX

Sources

crossref openalex