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A Lifespan Perspective on Leadership

In: Aging Workers and the Employee-Employer Relationship

Author

Listed:
  • Hannes Zacher

    (The University of Groningen)

  • Michael Clark

    (University of the West of England)

  • Ellen C. Anderson

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Oluremi B. Ayoko

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

In this chapter, we present a lifespan model of leadership that outlines how leader and follower age as well as age-related changes in leader traits and characteristics, leader behaviors, and follower attribution and identification processes may influence leadership effectiveness. First, we describe how leader traits and characteristics change with age and how these developmental changes may impact on leader behaviors and, subsequently, leadership effectiveness. Specifically, we discuss age-related changes in leaders’ task competence, interpersonal attributes, and motivation to lead. We particularly focus on how generativity – a set of interconnected motives pertaining to establishing and guiding future generations – may emerge as an important concern among older leaders. Second, we review theoretical approaches that help explain how and why leader age and age-related traits and characteristics, follower age, as well as leader-follower age differences may influence follower attribution and identification processes. Third, we outline a number of boundary conditions of the effects proposed by our lifespan model of leadership, including leader-follower relationship duration, situational characteristics, as well as the cultural, social, and historical context. We conclude the chapter by discussing our model’s implications for future research and organizational practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannes Zacher & Michael Clark & Ellen C. Anderson & Oluremi B. Ayoko, 2015. "A Lifespan Perspective on Leadership," Springer Books, in: P. Matthijs Bal & Dorien T.A.M. Kooij & Denise M. Rousseau (ed.), Aging Workers and the Employee-Employer Relationship, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 87-104, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-319-08007-9_6
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-08007-9_6
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