Professional Identity As A Neutralizer For Charismatic Leadership Tactics During Crisis

Abstract

Charismatic leadership has received a great deal of attention from researchers for its newline extraordinariness in reducing the negative effects of crisis within an organization. The newline extraordinariness of charismatic leadership depends upon the enactment of verbal and non- newline verbal charisma tactics. The charismatic leadership tactics (CLTs) have the potential to newline seduce followers emotionally and ideologically (Antonakis, FenlyandLiechti, 2011). CLTs newline are highly persuasive in invoking required emotions among followers. The literature on newline crisis integrates charismatic leadership and argues for its direct effect on follower s newline performance and work engagement in crisis. newline The thesis attempts to examine the effect of CLTs on followers and to identify a new newline substitute or a neutralizer for CLTs in a crisis condition. Hence three studies were newline undertaken. Study one was a cross-sectional survey in 15 companies. Study two was to newline interview professionals and document their experiences of crisis management.Professional newline identity, as a neutralizer for CLTs was identified in study two. newline For the third study, an experimental research design was adopted to examine to what newline extent high professional identity represents a neutralizer for CLTs in terms of its effects on newline followers performance and work engagement. A 2 x 2 design was adopted to examine the newline relationship between CLTs and followers performance and work engagement with high newline versus low professional identity. Participants (320 students) were randomly assigned into newline four cells. High and low professional identity among students was activated through a newline priming manipulation.To perform the given task participants werepresented with videos newline showing a leader either displaying CLTs and non-CLTs. I found thatprofessional identity newline had a main positive effect on follower s performance and work engagement and represents newline a neutralizer (counter-effect) moderator between CLTsand work engagement. The findings newline xcan be explained by motivation crowding theory. Implications for theory and practice are newline discussed for leadership and substitutes for leadership theory. newline Keywords: professional identity, charismatic leadership tactics (CLTs), substitutes for newline leadership, experiments, crisis. newline