Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
9-2023
Abstract
We introduce new leader humility scales capturing a theoretically rich conceptualization of leader-expressed humility aligned with traditional and ethically-grounded philosophies. These scales draw from recent inductive research (Oc et al., 2015) identifying nine dimensions of leader-expressed humility: (1) having an accurate view of self, (2) recognizing follower strengths and achievements, (3) modeling teachability and being correctable, (4) leading by example, (5) showing modesty, (6) working together for the collective good, (7) empathy and approachability, (8) showing mutual respect and fairness, and (9) mentoring and coaching. The first three dimensions overlap with the most prominent conceptualization of leader-expressed humility in the literature (i.e., Owens et al., 2013). However, the latter six dimensions are unique and represent an expanded understanding of the humble behaviors of leaders, which have implications for leaders and their ethical behavior in organizations. We conducted three studies resulting in two versions of the leader-expressed humility measure: 1) a 27-item scale with the nine dimensions (i.e., the "Leader-Expressed Humility" [LEH] scale) and 2) a 9-item brief scale (i.e., the "Brief LEH" scale) comprised of one item from each of the nine dimensions. As an initial step, we generated a pool of items that reflected each dimension. Next, we validated the LEH and Brief LEH scales in Study 1 and cross-validated the Brief LEH scale in Study 2 with two samples of subordinates in Singapore. As a final step, in Study 3, we cross-validated the Brief LEH scale with a sample of subordinates in the United States.
Keywords
Leader humility, Scale development, Leadership, Ethics
Discipline
Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics | Leadership Studies | Organization Development
Research Areas
Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources
Publication
Journal of Business Ethics
First Page
1
Last Page
18
ISSN
0167-4544
Identifier
10.1007/s10551-023-05523-9
Publisher
Springer
Embargo Period
8-24-2024
Citation
CHINTAKANANDA, Kraivin; DIEFENDORFF, James M.; OC, Burak; DANIELS, Michael A.; GREGURAS, Gary J.; and BASHSHUR, Michael R..
Leader-expressed humility: Development and validation of scales based on a comprehensive conceptualization. (2023). Journal of Business Ethics. 1-18.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/7297
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-023-05523-9
Included in
Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Organization Development Commons