The interactive effects of leader humility and abusive supervision on team silence and team performance

Part of the Future of Work Institute (FOWI) Thursday Seminar Series

Although there is growing evidence supporting the positive relationship between leader humility and successful organizational outcomes, the boundary conditions by which leader humility impacts outcomes, such as team performance, remains unclear. This paper aims to better understand the effects of leader humility, along with its potential barriers, on team performance by unpacking how leader humility can help reduce one of the most common causes leading to poor team performance via team communication breakdowns, that is, when team members deliberately withhold important thoughts, suggestions, and concerns (i.e., team silence). We conducted a multi-wave study on 202 teams, consisting of 1506 team members, 202 team leaders, and measured objective team performance (through financial and customer key performance indicators) and leader-rated team performance. We found that higher levels of leader humility were associated with lower levels of team silence, and that team silence mediated the relationship between leader humility and team performance outcomes. However, the beneficial effects of leader humility were inhibited when team leaders also expressed abusive behaviors. This paper provides new theoretical and practical insights into the benefits leader humility in reducing team silence and provides additional evidence for leader humility as a critical lever for team effectiveness.

About the Speaker

Dr Nate Zettna is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies. He completed his PhD specialising in organisational behaviour and management at the University of Sydney Business School. His research examines various aspects of teams, including team communication, effectiveness, well-being, and leadership. Nate has conducted research and worked with international organisations in many sectors including banking, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and education. He was also a recipient of the Business School Research Scholarship and winner of the John C Harsanyi Graduate Medal (USyd Alumni Awards). His paper on leader humility and team silence also received a best paper distinction at the 2019 Academy of Management conference in Boston.

Venue

• In person: Future of Work Institute (78 Murray Street Perth WA 6000)
• Online: via WebEx

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