Predicting unit performance by assessing transformational and transactional leadership.
Abstract
How do leadership ratings collected from units operating under stable conditions predict subsequent performance of those units operating under high stress and uncertainty? To examine this question, the authors calculated the predictive relationships for the transformational and transactional leadership of 72 light infantry rifle platoon leaders for ratings of unit potency, cohesion, and performance for U.S. Army platoons participating in combat simulation exercises. Both transformational and transactional contingent reward leadership ratings of platoon leaders and sergeants positively predicted unit performance. The relationship of platoon leadership to performance was partially mediated through the unit's level of potency and cohesion. Implications, limitations, and future directions for leadership research are discussed.
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Transactional leadership is most likely found in well-ordered societies, and probably most effective when quantitative performance is required.
“Transactional leadership is most likely found in well-ordered societies (Bass et al. 2003), and probably most effective when quantitative performance is required (Hoyt and Blascovich 2003).”
From The Servant Leadership Survey: Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Measure (2011) · cites this paper as Bass et al. 2003
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- Authors
- Bass, B. M., Avolio, B. J., Jung, D. I., & Berson, Y.
- Affiliations
- Binghamton University (US)
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln (US)
- San Diego State University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Psychology
- Published
- 2003
- Volume
- 88
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 207-218
- ISSN
- 0021-9010 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1854
- OpenAlex
- W2134816404
- Cited by
- 3,026
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 74 · 2025: 99 · 2024: 164 · 2023: 197 · 2022: 196 · 2021: 205 · 2020: 202 · 2019: 208 · 2018: 174 · 2017: 191 · 2016: 169 · 2015: 175 · 2014: 153 · 2013: 153 · 2012: 158
- FWCI
- 57.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Employee Performance and Leadership
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Team Dynamics and Performance
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Leadership and Management in Organizations
- Keywords
- transformational leadership, transactional leadership, contingent reward, unit performance, platoon leadership, unit cohesion, military leadership, combat simulation
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Leadership, Male, Military Personnel
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