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Shared social identity in leadership
Stephen D Reicher1, S Alexander Haslam2, Michael J Platow3
1School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|September 22, 2018
Summary
This paper explores the social identity model of leadership, explaining how shared identity fosters group cohesion and effective leadership. It examines how leaders manage social identities and the resulting psychological and political impacts.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Leadership Studies
Background:
- The social identity approach posits that shared social identity underpins group reality and collective action.
- Leadership is increasingly understood through the lens of social identity dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting the social identity model of leadership.
- To elucidate leadership as a process of social identity management.
- To examine the antecedents and consequences of social identity management in leadership.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent evidence on the social identity model of leadership.
- Conceptual analysis linking social identity theory to leadership effectiveness.
- Examination of psychological and political outcomes related to social identity management.
Main Results:
- Effective leadership is intrinsically linked to the management of social identities within groups.
- Shared social identity is foundational for group cohesion, shared reality, and joint action.
- Managing social identities has significant psychological and political ramifications for leaders and followers.
Conclusions:
- The social identity model provides a robust framework for understanding leadership.
- Leadership effectiveness hinges on a leader's ability to foster and manage a shared social identity.
- Further research should explore the nuanced antecedents and consequences of social identity management in diverse leadership contexts.
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