Leader Reactions to Follower Proactive Behavior: Giving Credit when Credit is Due

What is it about?

In short, its about a better understanding of when leaders reward subordinates for exhibiting personal initiative. This study indicates leaders reward follower proactivity when the leader feels personally responsible for constructive change. That is, when followers facilitate or initiate constructive change in their work group, this behavior is valued by the supervisor because it helps the leader fulfill his or her assumed responsibilities. In comparison, the results indicate leaders who feel little responsibility for constructive change do not value follower proactivity and consequently do not reward followers for that behavior.

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Why is it important?

Proactive behavior can be risky because it challenges the status quo and may be threatening to supervisors. This study is important because it provides a straightforward and elegant explanation for when subordinates are likely to get rewarded for engaging in potentially risky behavior--when it facilitates supervisor goal achievement. That is, quite simply, the supervisor rewards the subordinate when the subordinate helps the supervisor do his or her job (as the supervisor sees it).