Managerial Behavioral Training For Functional Leadership: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Using behavioral principles to improve organizational behaviors is a cornerstone of organizational behavior management. In this study, a manual for managerial behavioral training (MBT) based on behavioral principles was developed and tested. A randomized controlled trial compared pre- and post-training employee questionnaire data from experimental-group managers (n = 25) versus waitlist control-group managers (n = 24). Multilevel modeling was used for data analysis. MBT was found to positively affect the functional leadership behaviors of goal setting (d =.20; p =.039), performance feedback (d =.20; p =.073), value-based performance feedback (d =.22; p =.015), and consequential listening (d =.22; p =.050). In addition, MBT was found to positively affect leadership performance in terms of leader effectiveness (d =.21; p =.038) and employee engagement (d =.27; p =.024). This study describes how managerial leadership training based on behavioral principles can be used to improve managerial leadership behaviors and performance.