Describe the positive effects that authentic leaders have on followers.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Followers are likely to emulate the example of authentic leaders who set a high ethical
standard. They feel empowered to make ethical choices on their own without the input of
the leader and are more likely to act courageously. They align themselves with the values of
the organization and become authentic moral agents themselves. Leader authenticity also
fosters feelings of self-efficacy (competence), hope, optimism, and resilience in followers.
Authentic followers, for their part, provide feedback that reinforces the authentic behavior
of leaders and increases the leaders’ self-knowledge. (See the Focus on Follower Ethics box
for more information on the characteristics of authentic followers.) They also reward their
leaders by giving them more latitude to make difficult, unpopular choices. Authentic
leadership and followership are more likely to develop in organizational climates that
provide the information and other resources that employees need to get their work done,
encourage learning, treat members fairly, and set clear goals and performance standards.