Growing self-leaders: the role of motivating language

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how leader communication can help foster an employee’s ability to set and achieve goals and align these goals with organizationally relevant purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

To better understand this process, the authors use two well-supported theories – motivating language to provide a framework for understanding leader communication and self-leadership to examine employee goal setting.

Findings

Examining these two theories together has resulted in a practical, theory-based guide for how managers can use leader communication to improve workplace results.

Originality/value

This paper offers researchers a new lens through which to view workplace practices in organizations driven by innovation and knowledge management, and a framework for managers and consultants to develop methods for inspiring and guiding workers toward improved organizational performance.

Citation

Mayfield, M. and Mayfield, J. (2016), "Growing self-leaders: the role of motivating language", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 30 No. 5, pp. 14-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-03-2016-0025