The role of transformational leadership in the mental health and job performance of employees with disabilities

Abstract

With the present study, we aim to advance the understanding of the role of leadership in the vocational inclusion of employees with disabilities. We argue that transformational leadership (TFL) can be an important approach that fits particularly the requirements of people with disabilities, because it positively influences their self-concept and consequentially heightens their job performance while it prevents emotional exhaustion. Applying a mixed-methods approach, both qualitative interview and quantitative survey data from employees of an Israeli call center were gathered and analyzed. The interview results indicated that all facets of TFL could be observed in the present context. Moreover, it provides evidence for the assumption that a lack of self-esteem is a key problem with which employees with disabilities deal in daily work. The survey results support the view that TFL can enhance employees’ organization-based self-esteem and prevent their emotional exhaustion, thereby also affecting job performance. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Keywords:

• call center
• disability
• emotional exhaustion
• Israel
• Performance
• transformational leadership

Acknowledgments

We greatly appreciate the insightful guidance and suggestions by Associate Editor Lisa Schur as well as three anonymous reviewers of our paper. Furthermore, we would like to thank Dr Gil Winch, Inbal Keha and Dr Miriam Baumgärtner for their help in the data collection and various engaged discussions about this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. All names mentioned in this study are pseudonyms.