Reconsidering the Accuracy of Follower Leadership Ratings

Keller Hansbrough, T.; Lord, R.; Schyns, B.

Abstract

Accurate behavioral measurement is essential to developing a science of leadership, yet accurate measurement has remained elusive. The use of follower reports of leader behavior creates challenges given that a large body of basic and applied research suggests that behavioral ratings reflect not only recall of actual behaviors, but also inferences based on semantic memory, which may vary among individuals. In this paper, we examine several explanations for rater effects that are associated with follower individual differences, contextual factors, and even research methods, such as the type of measure used, that may bias ratings of leader behavior. We also develop a conceptual model to illustrate these processes. Finally, we offer potential solutions to increase accuracy in follower reports of leader behavior.

Citation

Keller Hansbrough, T., Lord, R., & Schyns, B. (2015). Reconsidering the Accuracy of Follower Leadership Ratings. The Leadership Quarterly, 26(2), 220-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2014.11.006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 24, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Dec 12, 2014
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Dec 11, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 12, 2014
• Journal: Leadership Quarterly
• Print ISSN: 1048-9843
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 220-237
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2014.11.006
• Keywords: Leadership ratings, Behavioral measurement, Person perception, Individual differences.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1448789