“Can you see the real me?” A self-based model of authentic leader and follower development

Authors

William L. Gardner, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bruce J. Avolio, University of WashingtonFollow
Fred Luthans, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Douglas R. May, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Fred Walumbwa, Arizona State UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

2005

Citation

Published in The Leadership Quarterly, vol 16, iss 3 (June 2005), pp 343–372.

doi 10.1016/j.leaqua.2005.03.003

Comments

Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Inc. Used by permission

Abstract

To address present and future leadership needs, a model of authentic leader and follower development is proposed and examined with respect to its relationship to veritable, sustainable follower performance. The developmental processes of leader and follower self-awareness and self-regulation are emphasized. The influence of the leader’s and followers’ personal histories and trigger events are considered as antecedents of authentic leadership and followership, as well as the reciprocal effects with an inclusive, ethical, caring and strength-based organizational climate. Positive modeling is viewed as a primary means whereby leaders develop authentic followers. Posited outcomes of authentic leader–follower relationships include heightened levels of follower trust in the leader, engagement, workplace well-being and veritable, sustainable performance. Testable propositions and directions for exploring them are presented and discussed.