How Are They Gaining such Positions? An Examination of Antecedents of Informal Leadership at Organizations

Abstract

Drawing upon leadership emergence and conservation of resource theories, we proposed that relationship with formal leaders, voice behaviors of employees, and impression management tactics of employees influence the acquisition of informal leadership position in their social circles at organizations. We also found that education of focal employee also plays vital role in determining emergence of informal leadership in social circles. Research implications and future research directions also discussed.

Keywords: LMX, empowering leadership, voice behavior, impression management, political skills