Abstract:

Despite previous research primarily focused on the positive outcomes resulting from empowering leadership, recent studies in this realm have indicated that empowering leadership could also bring potential negative effects apart from the positive outcomes. With respect to this issue, we first demonstrated the conceptualization and core characteristics of empowering leadership. Then, based on dual-task processing effect, role theory and implicit leadership theory, we explained the theoretical mechanisms of the negative effects of empowering leadership. Next, we analyzed the boundary conditions under which empowering leadership exerts positive influence on employees and organizations. Finally, we proposed several future research directions regarding the negative effects of empowering leadership.

Key words: empowering leadership, negative effects, theoretical mechanisms, boundary conditions