Introduction The influence that leaders exert to their subordinates has been the subject of much empirical research. Leadership influence is an important element in any type of team organization: the government sector, private corporations, educational organizations, the military, and even sports to name a few. Several theories have emerged through the years to explain how it is that leaders influence their subordinates. One of the latest theories is the leader-member exchange theory (LMX). The centerpiece of the LMX is based on relationships and exchanges between leaders and subordinates. It is important to highlight that LMX does not focus on equal treatment due to the fact that subordinates have different needs. However, LMX main goal is
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This theory was derived the Vertical Dyad Linkage model, (Zacher, Rosing, Henning, & Frese, 2011). LMX serves to explain how leaders develop and sustain exchange relationships with each member of its group. The quality of LMX strongly influences how subordinates react, make decisions, interact with other group members, and how they perform. Group members who maintain a positive relationship with leaders and other teammates are considered part of the ingroup (those who are part of a group, but particularly those who identify working toward a common cause) of the unit, while those with low quality LMX relationship are relegated to the outgroup (those who do not fit the group, not identified with the rest of the group, or do not seem to be moved towards the common cause as the rest of the group), (VandenBos, …show more content…
Researches indicate that several factors of LMX have direct effect on athletes’ performance: age of leaders, trust in their leaders, and team cohesion. (Bruner et al., 2014; Dirks, 2000; Larsen et al., 2013; Short & Sullivan, 2003; Zacher et al., 2011). Athletes often perceive older coaches as experienced, which can lead to trust in their knowledge. Older leaders with generativity (more interested in the welfare of their followers) seem to invest extra time and efforts establishing goals, and building the career of their subordinates when compared to those of a younger age. Perceived generativity virtually transfers to more impetus from the athletes’ side. Furthermore, when team members feel their leaders regarded them beyond what is expected, they become more responsible in their training and as a result performance improves, (Zacher et al.,
This theory was derived the Vertical Dyad Linkage model, (Zacher, Rosing, Henning, & Frese, 2011). LMX serves to explain how leaders develop and sustain exchange relationships with each member of its group. The quality of LMX strongly influences how subordinates react, make decisions, interact with other group members, and how they perform. Group members who maintain a positive relationship with leaders and other teammates are considered part of the ingroup (those who are part of a group, but particularly those who identify working toward a common cause) of the unit, while those with low quality LMX relationship are relegated to the outgroup (those who do not fit the group, not identified with the rest of the group, or do not seem to be moved towards the common cause as the rest of the group), (VandenBos, …show more content…
Researches indicate that several factors of LMX have direct effect on athletes’ performance: age of leaders, trust in their leaders, and team cohesion. (Bruner et al., 2014; Dirks, 2000; Larsen et al., 2013; Short & Sullivan, 2003; Zacher et al., 2011). Athletes often perceive older coaches as experienced, which can lead to trust in their knowledge. Older leaders with generativity (more interested in the welfare of their followers) seem to invest extra time and efforts establishing goals, and building the career of their subordinates when compared to those of a younger age. Perceived generativity virtually transfers to more impetus from the athletes’ side. Furthermore, when team members feel their leaders regarded them beyond what is expected, they become more responsible in their training and as a result performance improves, (Zacher et al.,