The Humbling Effect of Significant Relationships: A Field Experiment Examining the Effect of Significant-Other Activation on Leaders’ Expressed Humility

• DOI: 10.1287/orsc.2023.17377
• Publication Date: 2024-03-04T16:14:52Z
• Authors: Lin Wang; Junchao (Jason) Li; Bradley P. Owens; Lihua Shi; Mo Wang
• Keywords: Humility

Recent research has consistently highlighted the benefits of leader humility within organizations. However, much less is known about how can be contextually promoted beyond individual predispositions. This paper draws from social-cognitive model transference to illuminate contextual activation significant-other schemas enhance a leader’s expressed in workplace. Specifically, we propose that lead increased interpersonal warmth and psychological safety among leaders, which turn, promote their interactions with followers. Furthermore, posit these effects are amplified leaders who possess strong relational identity. To test our hypotheses, conducted field experiment 97 194 followers, where randomly applied daily interventions surveyed corresponding followers across 10 consecutive workdays. Our findings provide support for positive impact schema on confirm moderating role We discuss theoretical practical implications findings. Funding: was supported by National Natural Science Foundation China [Grants 72022022 72332009] John Templeton [Grant 62265] entitled “Applied Research Intellectual Humility.” Supplemental Material: The online appendix available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2023.17377 .