Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

submittedVersion

Publication Date

3-2025

Abstract

Awe is a profound emotion that has captured significant attention within psychological research. While the potential for leaders to inspire awe in followers has received some recognition, systematic research on the nature and effects of awe in leadership—and within organizational contexts more broadly—remains limited. In this article, we offer a conceptual framework that explains the multifaceted and transformative nature of leadership through the power of awe. Specifically, we identify four leader behaviors—charismatic leadership tactics, exceptional performance, problem reframing, and self-sacrificial behavior—that elicit awe among followers. We further propose three variants of awe-inspiring leaders, describing how variation in a leader’s self-construal (independent, collective-interdependent, or humanity) differentially orients followers toward hero worship, in-group favoritism, or universal prosociality through follower identification processes. Finally, we argue that a leader’s zero-sum beliefs either intensify or weaken these behavioral consequences. By advancing this framework, we hope to stimulate further research on the effects of awe within organizations and deepen our understanding of how this transformative emotion shapes identity, behavior, and more.

Discipline

Human Resources Management | Leadership Studies | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

Academy of Management Review

ISSN

0363-7425

Identifier

10.5465/amr.2022.0282

Publisher

Academy of Management

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2022.0282

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