Navigating the tug-of-war : a resource perspective of how FWC and FWE affect leadership style

Abstract

Research on the interactive effects of conflictual and enriching dimensions of family life on different leadership styles is almost non-existent. The present study explored three gaps in this area: (a) the direct effect of family-to-work conflict (FWC) and family-to-work enrichment (FWE) on one positive (transformational) and two negative (abusive supervision and passive) leadership styles, (b) the mediating role of resource loss and gain by applying the conservation of resources (COR) theory and work-home resource (WH-R) theory, and (c) the interactive effect of FWC and FWE on the three leadership styles. Using a cross-sectional study design within a sample of 579 leaders, results showed that FWC is detrimental in the workplace – being associated with diminished transformational leadership and enhanced abusive and passive leadership. FWE works oppositely – being associated with enhanced transformational and decreased abusive and passive leadership. FWC and FWE also interact such that high levels of FWE attenuate the adverse effects of FWC on leadership styles. The mediating role of resource loss and gain was not found. Analysis by gender suggested that men leaders were found to be more influenced by FWC whereas women leaders manage negative family events more effectively and benefit more from FWE. However, the moderating effect of FWE is stronger for men. Implications, limitations, and directions for future studies have been discussed.