Are Relationally Transparent Leaders More Receptive to the Relational Transparency of Others? An Authentic Dialog Perspective

Arménio Rego (), Miguel Pina e Cunha () and Luca Giustiniano ()
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Arménio Rego: Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Miguel Pina e Cunha: Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Luca Giustiniano: Luiss University

Journal of Business Ethics, 2022, vol. 180, issue 2, No 16, 695-709

Abstract: Abstract Using a sample of 114 leaders (described by 516 team members), we show empirically that the association between leader relational transparency and leader receptiveness to relational transparency of team members is indirect (through leader respect) and conditional on leader humility. When a transparent leader expresses humility, he/she conveys respect to team members and is perceived as more receptive to the relational transparency of employees toward him/her. The indirect association between leader relational transparency and leader receptiveness to the relational transparency of team members is negative, however, when the leader is perceived as non-humble. Our paper contributes to discussion about the limits of relational transparency as an indicator of authentic leadership. We suggest that what is often described as relational transparency is no more than unidirectional transparency—from leaders to followers. We conclude that transparency (and authenticity) in leaders is relational only when it is bidirectional.

Keywords: Leader relational transparency; Leader receptiveness; Team working; Humility; Respect; Authentic leadership (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04792-6

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