The ODA Section invites you to an ODA research seminar where Steffen Triebel will give the following presentation:

“It’s Not Me, It’s You: The Effect of Alter’s Brokerage Orientations on an Individual’s Leader Identity”

Abstract
Understanding how individuals come to see themselves as leaders is critical for organizations. While prior research has primarily focused on individual characteristics and experiences as drivers of leader identity construction, the relational antecedents through which leader identity is shaped remain underexplored. This study examines the effects on individuals of the behavioral brokerage orientations of their alters (the colleagues they have connections with). Specifically, we examine how alters tendencies to connect others (tertius iungens) or keep others apart (tertius gaudens), affect the focal individual’s leader identity. Drawing on leader identity theory and social capital theory, we propose that alters’ brokerage behaviors within buy-in networks shape how individuals internalize leadership as part of their self-concept. We theorize that tertius iungens-brokering by alters has a positive effect on leader identity by creating opportunities for support and validation that attenuates as the effect gets stronger, whereas moderate tertius gaudens-brokering has a positive effect that becomes negative as the brokering behavior gets stronger, as excessive separation leads to network fragmentation. Using Linear Network Autocorrelation Models on data from 138 employees in a consultancy firm, we find support for these effects. We contextualize our findings using Exponential Random Graph Models. The findings advance understanding of leader identity construction and deconstruction by highlighting the role of others in an individual’s network and extends social capital theory by shifting attention from the agency of focal actors to their alters’ agency.

Everyone is welcome!