Dr Richard Morgan r.h.morgan@durham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor
Dr Richard Morgan r.h.morgan@durham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor
Professor Susanne Braun susanne.braun@durham.ac.uk
Professor
Professor Olga Epitropaki olga.epitropaki2@durham.ac.uk
Professor
Developing as a leader is widely recognized as a challenging endeavour that takes time. However, little research has been done to explain the process through which future representations of oneself as a leader relate to current leader identity and how future and current leader selves motivate action. Integrating possible selves theory with identity‐based motivation theory and across three independent studies, we test a serial‐mediation model in which a salient future leader self sequentially relates to leader identity, affective motivation to lead, and proactive leadership behaviour. Our Pilot Study (N = 186) was conducted at two time points over a year apart with employees from a manufacturing company. Study 1 (N = 265) included repeated measurement at three time points, each a month apart, with employees from different industries. Study 2 (N = 301) included repeated measurement at four time points, each 2 weeks apart, with employees from different industries. Cross‐lagged analyses provided support for our hypothesized process model and allowed us to examine reciprocal relationships. The theoretical implications for leadership and leader identity theory are discussed along with the practical implications for prospective leaders and their development in organizations.
Morgan, R., Braun, S., & Epitropaki, O. (2025). Pursuing a future leader self: A multi‐study investigation of leader identity and its motivational and behavioural outcomes. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 98(1), Article e70014. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.70014
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Feb 2, 2025 |
Online Publication Date | Feb 18, 2025 |
Publication Date | 2025-03 |
Deposit Date | Feb 10, 2025 |
Publicly Available Date | Feb 26, 2025 |
Journal | Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology |
Print ISSN | 0963-1798 |
Electronic ISSN | 2044-8325 |
Publisher | Wiley |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 98 |
Issue | 1 |
Article Number | e70014 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.70014 |
Keywords | future leader self, leader identity, motivation to lead, proactive leadership behavior |
Public URL | https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3469104 |
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Measuring Leadership Identity: Complexity, Risks, and Recommendations.
(2024)
Book Chapter
Grandiose and vulnerable leader narcissism in context: the role of events
(2024)
Book Chapter
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