Abstract

There are indications that empathic concern for others has been declining around the world (Konrath et al., 2014). Empathy has long been recognized as a component of social functioning that significantly influences behavior that impacts relationships with others on both personal and societal levels (Batson, 2009; Davis, 2017; M. L. Hoffman, 2000; Stilwell, 2001). Leaders who apply empathy in their leadership can promote stronger connections with others (Gentry & Sadri, 2007), and foster social closeness and well-being (Morelli et al., 2015). While traits and behaviors are helpful predictors of effective leadership (Judge & Piccolo, 2004; Mumford et al., 2000), there is limited knowledge about how the empathy trait specifically affects the leadership process and subsequent outcomes in an organizational context (Antonakis et al., 2012; Derue et al., 2011; Judge et al., 2009). The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental study was to determine whether the empathy leader trait affected, in any particular way, the relationship between task- and relationship-oriented leader behaviors and effective leadership. Moderation analysis identified three significant interactions where high levels of empathy predicted negative and positive relationships between leadership behaviors and outcomes. Data findings support that a leader's ability to engage with others can be significantly impacted by their level of empathy, and its effect can vary as its magnitude changes. Analysis conducted at a component level revealed effects of empathy that were not evident at a factor level. Results indicated that the empathy trait did not interact uniformly across task- and relation-oriented behaviors, which could suggest that empathy may not be an attribute most effectively measured as a singular dimensional trait. Implications for scholarship and recommendations for future research are described.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Leadership; Empathy

Date of Award

2024

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Psychology

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Kent Rhodes

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