Literature Review on Leader-Follower Dyad

by

Literature Review on Leader-Follower Dyad

LMX theory predicts that effective leadership requires leaders to develop high-quality LMX relationships with their subordinates, because these relationships should enhance subordinates' well-being and work performance (Liden, 2007, 451). Such relationships might also bind the subordinate to the group more tightly through loyalty, gratitude, and a sense of inclusion (Tyler, 2006, 115).

LMX relationships develop over time within groups. The motivation for developing differentiated LMX relationships is that in most groups, the leader has to relate to a large number of subordinates (Sparrowe, 2007, 522). In order to be effective, it is simply more efficient to select some subordinates in whom to invest a great deal of interpersonal energy and to treat the rest in a less intensive and personalized manner (Schriesheim, 2008, 63). The process through which this selection occurs involves the leader discovering what sort of a role the subordinate can or does have in the group (Herold, 2007, 224).

First, there is a role-taking stage in which the leader has expectations about a subordinate's performance-motivation and capacity, and tests this out by giving the subordinate a set of tasks and assignments (Liden, 2007, 452). Compliance with the leader's expectations regarding these tasks and assignments leads into the role-making phase in which the LMX relationship is defined (Scandura, 2009, 25). Task performance, commitment, and citizenship are expected from the subordinate (Dansereau, 2005, 46). The final stage is role-routinization in which the leader-member relationship has become stable, smooth-running, and relatively automatic (Liden, 2007, 453).

Positive leader-follower relations do not develop without reasonable efforts on both sides to nurture them (Graen, 2005, 219). For both leaders and followers, LMX improves as the other member of the dyad puts forth effort in developing the relationship (Hollander, 2008, 117). Dissatisfaction has been found when either member ...