11

Follower

Leader-Member Exchange (LMX)

Focus on:• Leader (traits, skills, styles, behaviours)• Follower and Context (situation, contingency, path-

goal)

LMX focuses on leader-follower interactions and quality of relationshipsEffective leadership is contingent on effective leader-member exchanges.

Leader Dyadic Relationship

Northouse, Peter, J. (2007) Leadership: Theory and Practice 4th Ed., London, Sage

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Leader-Member Exchange (LMX)

Less ‘average’ leadership: across a collective groupIn-group: receive more contact, confidence and concernOut-group: contractual, come to work, do their job and go home; treated fairly

L

F F F

L L L

F F F

L L L

F F F

+3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 0 0 0 0 0 0

In-Group Out-Group

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Leader-Member Exchange (LMX)

Researchers found that high quality leader-member exchanges result in improved performance and satisfaction at work (Graen & Uhl-Bien, 1995; Liden, Wayne & Stilwell, 1993)

In short, develop high quality exchanges and promote partnershipsLMX partnerships are transformational in that they move people beyond self-interests to accomplish more for the team and organisationIdeally, make the entire workforce an in-group.

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LMX “Leadership Making”

Phases in Leadership Making

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Stranger Acquaintance Partner

Roles Scripted Tested Negotiated

Influences

One way Mixed Reciprocal

Exchanges

Low quality Medium quality High quality

Interests Self Self and others Group

Graen, G. B. And Uhl-Bien, M. (1995) Relationship-Based Approach to Leadership: Development of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory of Leadership Over 25 Years: Applying a Multi-Level, Multi-Domain Perspective, Leadership Quarterly, 6(2), 231

Time