Exploring the Neuropsychological Antecedents of Transformational Leadership: the Role of Executive Function

Kanchna Ramchandran; Amy Colbert; Kenneth Brown; Natalie Denburg; Daniel Tranel

doi:10.1007/s40750-016-0051-y

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Exploring the Neuropsychological Antecedents of Transformational Leadership: the Role of Executive Function

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Exploring the Neuropsychological Antecedents of Transformational Leadership: the Role of Executive Function

Kanchna Ramchandran, Amy Colbert, Kenneth Brown, Natalie Denburg and Daniel Tranel

Adaptive human behavior and physiology, Vol.2(4), pp.325-343

12/2016

DOI: 10.1007/s40750-016-0051-y

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Abstract

This research explores brain-behavior relationships in prosocial, effective leadership by introducing executive function (higher-order brain function) as an individual difference. One hundred and five mid-level and senior managers were assessed on scientifically-valid neuropsychological tests that capture important dimensions of executive function. Two dimensions of executive function, control (inhibition of pre-potent response, flexible thinking) and decision-making, interacted to predict transformational leadership. This effect was found controlling for the extant antecedents of extraversion and general mental ability. Specifically, transformational leadership was associated with (1) high inhibition of pre-potent response in the presence of low-risk decision-making, and (2) either mental flexibility or low-risk decision-making, interchangeably. This suggests that the relationship between various executive function constructs and leadership is complex, and strengths in some cognitive capacities can substitute for limitations in others. Implications of the role of these interactions in facilitating transformational leadership are discussed.

Leadership

Neurosciences

Social Sciences

Human Physiology

Behavioral Sciences

Anthropology

Decision neuroscience

Prosocial organizational behavior

Biological Psychology

Neuropsychology

Evolutionary Biology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Exploring the Neuropsychological Antecedents of Transformational Leadership: the Role of Executive Function
Creators: Kanchna Ramchandran - grid.214572.7 0000000419368294 University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
Amy Colbert - grid.214572.7 0000000419368294 University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
Kenneth Brown - grid.214572.7 0000000419368294 University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
Natalie Denburg - grid.214572.7 0000000419368294 University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
Daniel Tranel - grid.214572.7 0000000419368294 University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Adaptive human behavior and physiology, Vol.2(4), pp.325-343
DOI: 10.1007/s40750-016-0051-y
ISSN: 2198-7335
eISSN: 2198-7335
Publisher: Springer International Publishing; Cham
Language: English
Date published: 12/2016
Academic Unit: Neurology; Management and Entrepreneurship ; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Educational Policy and Leadership Studies; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Center for Social Science Innovation; Bus Admin Undergrad; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984002497402771

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