Skip to main content
Log in

An examination of linkages between personal characteristics and dimensions of transformational leadership

  • Full Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Business and Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recent research in organizational behavior has found that “transformational leadership” can engender improved employee work outcomes in many types of organizations. Personal characteristics of transformational leaders, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. This paper reports the findings of a study that explored relationships between personal characteristics and dimensions of transformational leadership using sales managers as the population of interest. Findings suggest that a reconceptualization of the proposed linkages may be necessary. Potential explanations for the results obtained are presented along with managerial and research implications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander, L.D. (1979). The effect level in the hierarchy and functional area have on the extent to which Mintzberg's managerial roles are required by managerial jobs.Dissertation abstracts, 40, 2156A.

  • Avolio, B.J., & Bass, B.M. (1988). Transformational leadership, charisma, and beyond. In J.G. Hunt et al. (eds.),Emerging leadership vistas (pp. 29–49). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avolio, B.J., & Gibbons, T.C. (1988). Developing transformational leaders: A life span approach. In J.A. Conger and R.N. Kanungo (Eds.),Charismatic leadership: The elusive factor in organizational effectiveness (pp. 276–308). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avolio, B.J., Waldman, D.A., & Einstein, W.O. (1988). Transformational leadership in a management game simulation.Group & Organization Studies, 13, 59–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass, B.M. (1985).Leadership and performance beyond expectations. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass, B.M. (1990).Bass & Stogdill's handbook of leadership: Theory, research, & managerial applications. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass, B.M., & Avolio, B.J. (1989).Manual: The multifactor leadership questionnaire. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass, B.M., Waldman, D.A., Avolio, B.J., & Bebb, M. (1987). Transformational leadership and the falling dominoes effect.Group & Organization Studies, 12, 73–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belasco, J.A. (1966). The salesman's role revisited.Journal of Marketing, 30, 6–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, J.M. (1978).Leadership. New York: Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J., & Cohen, P. (1975).Applied multiple regression/correlational analysis for the behavioral sciences. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Comer, J.M., & Dubinsky, A.J. (1985).Managing the successful sales force. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conger, J.A, & Kanungo, R.N. (1987). Toward a behavioral theory of charismatic leadership in organizational settings.Academy of Management Review, 12, 637–647.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conger, J.A., & Kanungo, R.N. (1988). Behavioral dimensions of charismatic leadership. In J.A. Conger and R.N. Kanungo (Eds.),Charismatic leadership: The elusive factor in organizational effectiveness (pp. 78–97). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dandridge, T.C. (1986). Ceremony as an integration of work and play.Organizational Studies, 7, 159–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downton, J.V. (1973).Rebel leadership: Commitment and charisma in the revolutionary process. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubinsky, A.J., & Ingram, T.N. (1983). Important first-line sales management qualifications: What sales executives think.Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, 3, 18–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, W.J. (1983). The superiority theory of humor at work: Joking relationships as indicators of formal and informal status patterns in small, task-oriented groups.Small Group Behavior, 16, 556–564.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, W.J. (1984). Perceived humor patterns and social network patterns in a sample of task-oriented groups: A re-examination of prior research.Human Relations, 37, 895–907.

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, S., & Meier, P. (1989). Constructive thinking: A broad coping variable with specific components.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 332–350.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, J.W. (1986).The tasks of leadership. (Leadership Paper No. 2), Washington, D.C.: Independent Sector.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons, T.C. (1986).Revisiting the question of born vs. made: Toward a theory of development of transformational leadership. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Santa Barbara, CA: Fielding Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graen, G. (1976). Role making processes within complex organizations. In M.D. Dunnette (Ed.),Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1201–1245). Chicago, IL: Rand McNally.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graen, G., & Cashman, J.F. (1975). A role-making model of leadership in formal organizations: A developmental approach. In J.G. Hunt and L.L. Larson (Eds.),Leadership frontiers (pp. 143–165). Kent, OH: Kent State University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, H., & Mayer, D. (1964). A new approach to the scientific selection of successful salesmen.Journal of Psychology, 57, 113–123.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hater, J.J., & Bass, B.M. (1988). Superiors' evaluations and subordinates' perceptions of transformational and transactional leadership.Journal of Applied Psychology, 73, 695–702.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hendrick, H.W. (1990). Perceptual accuracy of self and others and leadership status as functions of cognitive complexity. In K.E. Clark and M.B. Clark (Eds.),Measures of leadership (pp. 511–519). West Orange, NJ: Leadership Library of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hise, R.T. (1970). Conflict in the salesman's role. In J.A. Barnhill (Ed.),Sales management: Contemporary perspectives (pp. 48–62). Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • House, R.J. (1977). A 1976 theory of charismatic leadership. In J.G. Hunt and L.L. Larson (Eds.),Leadership: The cutting edge (pp. 189–207). Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howell, J.M., & Avolio, B.J. (1988).Final report submitted to London life corporation. London, Ontario, Canada: London Life.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, D.N. (1974).Personality research form manual: PRF-form E. Goshen, NY: Research Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolson, M.E. (1974). The salesman's career cycle.Journal of Marketing, 38, 39–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, R., & Allen, T.J. (1985). Project performance and the locus of influence in the R&D matrix.Academy of Management Journal, 28, 67–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kets de Vries, M.F.R. (1984). Managers can drive their subordinates mad. In M.F.R. Kets de Vries (Ed.),The irrational executive: Psychoanalytic explorations in management (pp. 152–170). New York, NY: International Universities Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotter, J.P. (1990). What leaders really do.Harvard Business Review, 68, 103–111.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linstead, S. (1985). Jokers wild: The importance of humour in the maintenance of organizational culture.The Sociological Review, 33, 741–767.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lippitt, R. (1982). The changing leader-follower relationships of the 1980's.Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 18, 395–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavett, C.M., & Lau, A.W. (1983). Managerial Work: The influence of hierarchical level and functional speciality.Academy of Management Journal, 26, 170–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, M.F., & Sorenson, R.L. (1991). Cognitive processes in leadership: Interpreting and handling events in an organizational context. In J.A. Anderson (Ed.),Communication Yearbook/14 (pp. 501–534). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, R.E., & Hall, R.H. (1983). Environments, organizations, and policy makers: Towards an integrative framework. In R.H. Hall and R.E. Quinn (Eds.),Organization theory and public policy: Contributions and limitations (pp. 281–298). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheridan, J.E., & Vredenburgh, D.J. (1978). Predicting leadership behavior in a hospital organization.Academy of Management Journal, 21, 679–689.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sgro, J.A., Worchel, P., Pence, E.C., & Orban, J.A. (1980). Perceived leader behavior as a function of the leader's interpersonal trust orientation.Academy of Management Journal, 23, 161–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waldman, D.A., Bass, B.M., & Yammarino, F.J. (1990). Adding to contingent reward behavior: The augmenting effect of charismatic leadership.Group & Organization Studies, 15, 381–394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, O.C., Churchill, G.A., & Ford, N.M. (1975). Organizational determinants of the industrial salesman's role conflict and ambiguity.Journal of Marketing, 39, 32–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yammarino, F.J., & Bass, B.M. (1990a). Long-term forecasting of transformational leadership and its effects among naval officers: Some preliminary findings. In K.E. Clark and M.B. Clark (Eds.),Measures of leadership (pp. 151–169). Greensboro, NC: Center for Creative Leadership.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yammarino, F.J., & Bass, B.M. (1990b). Transformational leadership and multiple levels of analysis.Human Relations, 43, 975–995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaleznik, A. (1977). Managers and leaders: Are they different?Harvard Business Review, 55, 67–78.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The authors gratefully acknowledge the host company for its participation in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dubinsky, A.J., Yammarino, F.J. & Jolson, M.A. An examination of linkages between personal characteristics and dimensions of transformational leadership. J Bus Psychol 9, 315–335 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02230972

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02230972

Keywords

Navigation