Transformational leadership and turnover intention: the mediating effects of right speech (Samma Vaca) and trust in the leader

ABSTRACT

The Right Speech Scale was developed in the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path framework and used to assess the relationships among transformational leadership, right speech, trust in the leader, and turnover intention. Transformational leadership was defined as the process by which followers are inspired to accomplish more than originally expected; right speech as abstention from lying, speaking maliciously of others, using bad words, and engaging in idle talk; trust in the leaders as subordinates’ belief and trust in their managers; and turnover intention as the thought of leaving the job and the organization. In a study conducted among 164 bank employees in Bangkok, Thailand, right speech and trust in the leader mediated the effects of transformational leadership to reduce turnover intention. The results of the study support the Buddhist laws of karma stating that good deeds return good results and indicate the need for organizational leaders to practice right speech.

KEYWORDS:

• Transformational leadership
• turnover intention
• right speech
• samma vaca
• trust in the leader

Acknowledgment

We thank Kris Ariyabuddhiphongs for his assistance in the literature search, the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments, and the associate editor and editor for their patience in guiding our paper to publication.

Notes

1. References were made to the Thai language version of the Tipitaka scripture published by Mahamakut Royal College in commemoration of the 200 years of the Royal Chakri Dynasty, Rattanakosin, B.E. 2525. Numbers refer to volume/paragraph/page numbers. A stands for Anguttara-nikaya, D for Dhiga-nikaya, K for Khuddakanikaya.