THE IMPACT OF VIRTUOUS LEADERSHIPON EMPLOYEES’ PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the impact of virtuous leadership on individual performance of employees, and the mediator role of affective commitment in the mentioned relationship. The sample comprises 370 individuals from different Portuguese organizations. The findings suggest that (i) virtuous leadership explains individual performance and affective commitment, (ii) affective commitment explains individual performance, (iii) the relationship between virtuous leadership and individual performance is totally mediated by affective commitment. Despite the limitations of the study, the empirical evidence helps to understand that organizations, and in particular leaders, can promote emotionally committed employees who exhibit high levels of performance, if the leaders encourage virtues (e.g., courage, temperance, justice, prudence, and humanity) in the exercise of their leadership.