Transformational Leadership and Follower Task Performance: The Role of Susceptibility to Positive Emotions and Follower Positive Emotions.

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to examine transformational leadership (TFL) from an emotion-based perspective. We apply susceptibility to positive emotions (STPE) as the moderator and follower positive emotions (PE) as the mediator in the relationship between follower perceptions of TFL and follower task performance (TP). Design/Methodology/Approach: Survey data were collected from multiple sources, comprising 304 supervisor-subordinate dyads in 42 functional units of the Taiwanese military. Hierarchical linear analysis (HLM) was performed to examine our proposed model. Findings: The HLM results confirmed that follower perceptions of TFL were positively related to follower PE. Further, individual differences in STPE moderated the relationship between follower perceptions of TFL and follower PE. Finally, follower PE mediated the moderated relationship among TFL, STPE, and follower TP. Implications: This study advances understanding of when, how, and why TFL can enhance follower TP. The findings also address the complex role of STPE and follower PE in the relationship between follower perceptions of TFL and follower TP. Originality/Value: Emotions have attracted increasing attention in the leadership literature recently, particularly with regard to the transformational leader-follower relationship. This study enhances understanding of how TFL functions by accounting for followers' STPE. In addition, we respond to Avolio et al.'s (Ann Rev Psychol 60:421-449, ) call to test the mediated-moderation effect that links TFL to follower outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]