Relationships of Managers’ Leadership Styles and Communication Skills via Cognitive Maladaptive Schemas

Abstract

Aims and objectives: Managers are of a great importance to the population because of their position and the influence they usually have on subordinates and in general on organizational performance. Fundamental personality structures, behaviours, communication skills have a significant effect on individuals. One of these fundamental structures is cognitive schemas. Moreover, Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between managers’ cognitive schemas and leadership style with their communication style. Method: the current study is a descriptive-survey study. The statistical population includes all the senior managers in non-governmental organizations. 185 senior managers were selected through convenience sampling method and completed Fideller Leadership Style Questionnaire, Barton Communication Skills and Yang Schema questionnaires. Data were analyzed utilizing stepwise multiple regression methods. Results: Results showed that schemas such as defectiveness/shame, obedience, mistrust and emotional deprivation can predict managers’ leadership style. Additionally, some of the schemas including entitlement, sacrifice, defectiveness/shame and unrelenting standards anticipate their communication skills. Conclusion: In order to assessing managers cognitive and fundamental personality structure can help to predict his/her leadership style and communication skills

Keywords

• leadership style
• communication skills
• cognitive schemas
• managers