Leaders’ Expressed Humility and Followers’ Feedback Seeking: The Mediating Effects of Perceived Image Cost and Moderating Effects of Power Distance Orientation

Jing Qian; Xiaoyan Li; Baihe Song; Bin Wang; Menghan Wang; Shumeng Chang; Yujiao Xiong

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00563

Frontiers in Psychology (Apr 2018)

Leaders’ Expressed Humility and Followers’ Feedback Seeking: The Mediating Effects of Perceived Image Cost and Moderating Effects of Power Distance Orientation

Jing Qian,
Xiaoyan Li,
Baihe Song,
Bin Wang,
Menghan Wang,
Shumeng Chang,
Yujiao Xiong

Affiliations

Jing Qian: Department of Human Resource Management, Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Xiaoyan Li: School of Business, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
Baihe Song: Department of Human Resource Management, Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Bin Wang: Department of Human Resource Management, Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Menghan Wang: Department of Human Resource Management, Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Shumeng Chang: Department of Human Resource Management, Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Yujiao Xiong: Department of Human Resource Management, Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00563
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9

Abstract

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We developed and tested a model to identify the role of leaders’ expressed humility on employees’ feedback-seeking processes. The data used in our study was from a sample of 248 employees and 57 of their immediate supervisors. The results revealed that: (1) leader’s expressed humility positively related to employees’ feedback seeking mediated by employees’ perceived image cost; and (2) power distance orientation moderated the relationship between leader’s expressed humility and employees’ perceived image costs, such that the relationship was stronger when the power distance orientation was lower rather than higher. The results offer new insight into potential managerial practices that aim at stimulating feedback seeking. We conclude with a discussion for future research.

Published in Frontiers in Psychology

ISSN: 1664-1078 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology

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