Self-Concordance at Work: Toward Understanding the Motivational Effects of Transformational Leaders

Abstract

We extend existing theories by linking transformational leadership to “self-concordance” at work. In two studies using diverse samples and methods, leader behaviors were associated with follower tendencies to set self-concordant goals. In general, followers of transformational leaders viewed their work as more important and as more self-congruent. The effects of self-concordant work goals on job attitudes and performance were generally positive; however, the pattern of relationships differed in the field study and the experimental study.