Emotion contagion in leadership: Followercentric approach

Abstract

The main purpose of this article is to explain leadership process from followercentric perspective through emotion contagion theory. The article provides overview of followercentric approaches in leadership research and emotion contagion theory with the recent developments of (social) neuroscience and psychology, which allowed examining emotions in a more comprehensive way. Finally, the conceptual model of emotion contagion in leadership process is presented. Emotion contagion is rarely addressed in leadership context. This article contributes to stimulation of this debate and discussion on still underrepresented subjects in leadership research, such as followercentric approach, importance of emotions in leader-follower communication, and emotional contagion theory in leadership context. Moreover, the proposed model is an integrated model that can be considered in empiric research, including the most recent developments in alternative methods (e.g. (social) neuroscience methods in leadership), enabling further development of leadership theory and contributing to leadership effectiveness.