ATTACHMENT THEORY AND LEADER-FOLLOWER RELATIONSHIPS

Despite the proliferation of available research examining the influence of leadership styles on followers, practical knowledge of the potential impact of relationship functioning between leaders and followers is limited. Because leaders are responsible for directing these relationships in ways that help to achieve the organization’s goals, attachment theory seems especially salient for understanding leadership behaviors. Attachment theory helps to predict the actions of the leader and of the followers within their relationships. Moreover, attachment theory can provide a predictive component regarding leaders’ success or failure in coping with the complex issues affecting organizational performance. Greater understanding of the interaction between individual attachment styles, the attachment theory perspective provides insight into the complex nature of leadership and the leader–follower relationship.