The Paradoxical Effect of Inclusive Leadership on Subordinates’ Creativity

Abstract

Previous research about inclusive leadership and creativity has produced contradictory results. The present study tried to explain the contradictory findings based on the antecedent-benefit-cost framework (ABC). We found that inclusive leadership promoted subordinates’ creativity by enhancing subordinates’ psychological safety but discouraged subordinates’ creativity by reducing challenge-related stress. The present study illustrated the complex mediating mechanism of inclusive leadership’s impact on creativity, presenting a complementary explanation of the conflicting relationships between inclusive leadership and creativity. In addition, we validated the ABC framework.