Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Assessing the Multiple Dimensions of Engagement to Characterize Learning: A Neurophysiological Perspective
Published on: July 1, 2015
Fired up or burned out? How developmental challenge differentially impacts leader behavior
Stephen H Courtright1, Amy E Colbert2, Daejeong Choi3
1Department of Management, Texas A&M University.
Challenging job assignments can boost leader engagement and transformational leadership. However, they may also increase emotional exhaustion and laissez-faire leadership, especially for leaders with lower leadership self-efficacy (LSE).
Area of Science:
- Organizational Behavior
- Leadership Studies
Background:
- Leadership development often focuses on positive outcomes of challenging assignments.
- Transactional stress theory offers an alternative lens to examine both positive and negative effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dual effects of developmental challenge on leader behavior.
- To explore the moderating role of leadership self-efficacy (LSE) in these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 153 leaders and 631 direct reports at a Fortune 500 company.
- Tested hypotheses regarding developmental challenge, leader behaviors, and LSE using statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Developmental challenge positively correlated with leader engagement and transformational leadership.
- Developmental challenge also correlated with emotional exhaustion and laissez-faire leadership.
- Lower LSE exacerbated negative effects, increasing exhaustion and laissez-faire behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Developmental challenge presents a potential "dark side" impacting leader behavior.
- LSE is a critical moderator, mitigating negative outcomes of challenging assignments.
- Understanding stress and demands is crucial for effective leadership development.
More Related Videos
06:45Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
06:42Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Dissonance
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
Motivational Cycle
The cycle begins with a need. This need can arise from various conditions, such as hunger, thirst, or temperature changes. For instance, when an individual feels cold, their body...
Impact of Individuals on a Group
Ryan and Deci's Self-Determination Theory
Autonomy is the need to feel in control of one's actions and decisions. For example, a student who chooses their research topic is likely to be more engaged and motivated than one who...