Evolutionary tendencies of simple social exchange across the stages of ego development : implications for leadership

english

2022

volume 11, issue 2

enterprises   leadership   management

Društvo Slovenska akademija za management
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

This paper addresses the research question of how the stages of ego development impact the interpretation schemes of the simple social exchange (act of giving). Using a sample of N = 290 respondents, we present the research findings on the evolution of the interpretation schemes of the act of giving across the levels of ego development. Research findings reveal the tendency of the stage of ego development to impact the properties and effects of the simple social exchange (act of giving). We theorize implications for leadership. We propose that the higher order of ego development induces a higher quality leader-member exchange (LMX) and greater likelihood of resolution of adaptive leadership challenges. Furthermore, followers are more likely to entrust power to a leader in exchange for high-quality relationships. The paper is a tentative attempt of merger of the LMX theory with the constructive school of adult development. This merger illuminates an interesting relation, namely that the stage of ego development might be a likely determinant of the quality of the LMX and leadership effectiveness.

20.11.2023