Benefitting or suffering from a paradoxical leader? A self-regulation perspective

Why do followers' reactions to perceived paradoxical leader behavior (PLB) differ? To answer this question, we draw from self-regulation theory and argue that making sense of a paradoxical leader's seemingly contradictory behavior can pose a challenge for followers and requires specific cognitive traits and abilities that enable them to navigate such complex and dynamic environments. We propose that followers who lack these cognitive traits and related abilities find it more difficult to make sense of and navigate their paradoxical leader's behavior, thereby perceiving them as behaviorally unpredictable. This, in turn, impairs followers' self-regulation when working with such leaders, and leads to lower well-being. Conversely, followers endowed with appropriate cognitive traits can make sense of PLB and thrive in these environments. To test our propositions, we conducted two multi-wave field studies. In Study 1, we examine the role of followers' trait cognitive flexibility in interpreting PLB; whereas Study 2 explores the role of followers' trait self-regulation. The findings from these studies support our hypotheses, with an important implication: the efficacy of PLB may not only solely depend on a leader's ability to enact these behaviors but also on their followers' ability to interpret and make sense of them.

Automated summary

The reactions of followers to paradoxical leader behavior (PLB) differ due to the cognitive traits and abilities required to make sense of and navigate such behaviors. Two field studies provide support for the hypothesis that followers lacking these traits find it more challenging to interpret and work with paradoxical leaders, leading to impaired self-regulation and lower well-being. Conversely, followers with the appropriate cognitive traits can understand and thrive in these environments. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of PLB depends not only on leaders but also on followers' interpretation and understanding.