Too good a boss can damage health

Managers who use transformational leadership to encourage employees to go above and beyond can have long-term negative effects on the health of their subordinates. This is shown in a recent study by researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) . This is because the management style favors "presenteeism," in which employees show up for work despite being slightly ill - which eventually takes its revenge in the form of particularly extensive sick leave.

More present, more sick

Transformational leadership, which aims to increase intrinsic motivation, is often attributed with positive effects such as less depression, better sleep quality and ultimately higher attendance times. But the latter in particular is a short-term effect that can even reverse in the long run. "Transformational leaders can promote a self-sacrifice of vulnerable employees for the greater good of the group by encouraging them to ignore illness and make an effort," explains Karina Nielsen, Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at UEA.

This is the result of a study for which the researchers observed postal employees in Denmark over a period of three years. The study showed that employees who were present for 14 days as a result of transformational leadership - i.e., despite illness - actually spent more time on sick leave than their colleagues. In addition, transformational leadership led to increased absenteeism due to illness overall. The underlying problem is probably that presenteeism-prone employees do not recover sufficiently and eventually totally collapse. They can also bring infectious diseases into the company.

Healthy role model effect important

"The assumption 'more transformational leadership is better' doesn't hold true in the long run," says Kevin Daniels, professor of organizational studies at UEA. He sees managers as having a duty to be role models of healthy behavior themselves, and also to make sure that others do the same. "Managers need to find a balance. They can still encourage employees to perform well, but not in a way that comes at the expense of their health and well-being." Training in transformational leadership should therefore include health considerations.

(press release)