Exploring upstream affective influence: how followers can shape leader support
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Date
2025-03-03
Open Access Location
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald Publishing Limited
Rights
(c) 2024 The Author/s
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
Purpose
Little is known about how followers can influence leaders through affect display. This paper explores the relationship between follower affect and leader support through the mediating processes of leader social mindfulness and leader affect.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on two studies (Pakistan and New Zealand) and employs a multisource time-lagged design. Multilevel analysis was conducted using the MLwiN program to test hypotheses.
Findings
Follower positive affect has a beneficial impact on leader support behavior, and negative affect has a detrimental effect. Leader affect and social mindfulness partially mediate these direct relationships.
Practical implications
Leaders should acknowledge that followers, too, can influence them via affect display. Organizations need to train leaders to boost their emotional intelligence.
Originality/value
This research provides additional evidence on follower-leader influences. It adds to leadership literature by providing a novel understanding of the underlying mechanisms of how follower affect can shape leader factors.
Description
Keywords
Leader–follower, Upstream affective influences, Social mindfulness, Leader support
Citation
Rashid MS, McGhee P. (2025). Exploring upstream affective influence: how followers can shape leader support. International Journal of Manpower. 46. 10. (pp. 60-76).