The Role of Attachment Styles in Leader-Member Exchange Theory
Will A. Gibson
Kansas State University Abstract
Leader-member Exchange Theory (LMX) deals with the quality of a work relationship between a leader and a member. A higher quality LMX places members in an in-group with their leader and therefore benefit from increased communication, attention, and consideration. When there is a lower LMX, members are in an out-group characterized by less communication and effort on behalf of the member. This proposal hypothesizes that the basis for formation of in-groups and out-groups is related to the attachment styles of both the leader and member. Leader-member Exchange (LMX) Theory was first formally conceptualized by George Graen (1978). The theory posits that the dynamic existing between a leader (or manager, supervisor, etc.) and their member (employee, subordinate, …show more content…
This individual may seem egotistical, arrogant, and self-centered to others. This statement is an example of what a dismissive person might say: "I am comfortable without close emotional relationships. It is very important to me to feel independent and self-sufficient, and I prefer not to depend on others or have others depend on me" (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991).
Someone who has a preoccupied attachment style has a negative view of themselves but a positive view of others. This person exhibits lower self-esteem and may thrive on social interaction, attention, and affection from other people. They are characterized by this statement: "I want to be completely emotionally intimate with others, but I often find that others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. I am uncomfortable being without close relationships, but I sometimes worry that others don't value me as much as I value them" (Bartholomew & Horowitz,