Supervisor emotional exhaustion and goal-focused leader behavior: The roles of supervisor bottom-line mentality and conscientiousness

Abstract

Research on emotional exhaustion demonstrates its consistent effect on workplace performance. In an effort to extend the literature regarding the relationship between emotional exhaustion and workplace performance, we draw on conservation of resource (COR) theory to explain and establish the relationship between supervisor emotional exhaustion and goal-focused leader behavior (i.e., a critical aspect of job performance for supervisors). Goal-focused leader behavior entails helping employees by facilitating performance via strategically using policies and practices to effectively communicate organizational goals and align employees’ efforts with these goals. We also integrate bottom-line mentality (BLM) theorizing to explain why a relationship exists between supervisor emotional exhaustion and supervisor BLM as it represents a problematic and dysfunctional mentality. Specifically, we propose supervisor BLM mediates the relationship between supervisor emotional exhaustion and goal-focused leader behavior. We also examine the moderating influence of supervisor conscientiousness on this mediated relationship. We examine these relationships in a multi-source field study and find support for our proposed moderated mediation model. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.