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Predicting unit performance by assessing transformational and transactional leadership
Bernard M Bass1, Bruce J Avolio, Dong I Jung
1Center for Leadership Studies and School of Management, Binghamton University.
The Journal of Applied Psychology
|May 7, 2003
Summary
Effective leadership, including transformational and transactional styles, positively predicts unit performance, even under stress. Unit cohesion and potency partially mediate this leadership-performance relationship.
Area of Science:
- Military leadership
- Organizational psychology
- Performance studies
Background:
- Understanding leadership effectiveness in dynamic environments is crucial.
- Previous research has explored leadership styles but less so under high-stress conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if leadership ratings from stable conditions predict performance in high-stress military simulations.
- To examine the mediating roles of unit potency and cohesion.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed data from 72 U.S. Army light infantry rifle platoons during combat simulations.
- Assessed transformational and transactional leadership, unit potency, cohesion, and performance.
Main Results:
- Both transformational and transactional contingent reward leadership positively predicted unit performance.
- Unit potency and cohesion partially mediated the relationship between leadership and performance.
Conclusions:
- Leadership quality is a significant predictor of unit performance, even in uncertain, high-stress scenarios.
- Fostering unit potency and cohesion can enhance the impact of effective leadership on performance.