From Self-defeating to Other-defeating: Examining the Effects of Leader Procrastination on Follower Work Outcomes

Legood, Alison; Lee, Allan; Schwarz, Gary; Newman, Alexander

Abstract

This research examines the influence of leader procrastination on employee attitudes and behaviours. While previous studies have typically viewed procrastination as a form of self‐defeating behaviour, this research explores its effects on others in the workplace. In Study 1, using data collected from 290 employees, we demonstrate the discriminant and relative predictive validity of leader procrastination on leadership effectiveness compared with laissez‐faire leadership and directive leadership. In Study 2, based on dyadic data collected in three phases from 250 employees and their 23 supervisors, we found that leader procrastination was associated with follower discretionary behaviour (organizational citizenship behaviour and deviant behaviour). Additionally, job frustration was found to mediate the relationship between leader procrastination and follower outcomes. The quality of the leader–follower relationship, as a boundary condition, was shown to mitigate the detrimental effects of leader procrastination. Together, the findings suggest that leader procrastination is a distinct form of negative leadership behaviour that represents an important source of follower job frustration.

Citation

Legood, A., Lee, A., Schwarz, G., & Newman, A. (2018). From Self-defeating to Other-defeating: Examining the Effects of Leader Procrastination on Follower Work Outcomes. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 91(2), 430-439. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12205

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 31, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Feb 26, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Feb 19, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 19, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0963-1798
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-8325
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 91
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 430-439
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12205