Leader-image compatibility: An image theory view of leadership

Abstract

Data from a riehl study of employee attitudes and perceptions support an image compatibility perspective of leadership. Drawing from Beach's Image Theory (1990), the study compares a 6-item leader-image compatibility measure with an existing leadership instrument—Leader-Member Exchange (LMX). Results show the image theory approach compares favorably to LMX in predicting 5 job-related measures of subordinate attitudes and perceptions. Findings expand the scope of image theory applications and demonstrate that an image compatibility assessment of leadership is conceptually sound and statistically justified. Implications are discussed regarding the utility of an image theory perspective of leadership in an increasingly diverse workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]