Implicit Theories of Ethical Leadership

Implicit Leadership Theories generally focus on followers perceptions. This theory shows that individuals have explicitly defined views of leaders in general that they develop throughout their lives, based on traits, characteristics, and behaviors of leaders. Hence, followers use Implicit Leadership Theories as a form of guideline when categorizing others as leaders if they show traits and behaviors that match the perceivers Implicit Leadership Theories. In general, Ethical Leadership is defined as the demonstration of normatively appropriate behavior of leaders. They mostly pursue the objective of transferring positive behaviors to followers through being a role model, personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of such conduct through active communication. Thus, leaders set high ethical standards for a positive ethical climate within their organizations. Given that followers interpret leader behavior and match leaders characteristics with their Implicit Leadership Theories as well as align their behaviors and their reactions, we believe that there is a strong need for a combination of Ethical Leadership and Implicit Leadership Theories, the so-called Implicit Theories of Ethical Leadership. We argue that congruence between followers Implicit Leadership Theories and their ratings of their actual leaders traits will enhance the leadership process and result in more ethical behavior of followers. The research project Implicit Theories of Ethical Leadership aims to contribute significantly to theory. Thereby, we relate to a strong theoretical foundation. On this basis, we develop key research questions. By using a multi-level approach, we plan to explore what these Implicit Theories of Ethical Leadership might look like, to examine the congruence between followers Implicit Theories of Ethical Leadership and their actual leader ratings, as well as to identify consensus regarding Implicit Theories of Ethical Leadership in work groups. We use qualitative and quantitative methods in our four empirical studies to integrate different perspectives and to answer our research questions appropriately. The combination of both research streams emphasizes our innovative approach to the research field of leadership. Subsequently, the results of this research project fill a gap in extant research. The project is designed for a duration of three years and will be conducted with Professor Birgit Schyns, a worldwide known expert in leadership, including Implicit Leadership Theories, at the NEOMA Business School as research institution abroad, and WU Vienna as the Austrian research institution.