2013 Reports

Effects of Leader-­Subordinate Age Difference on Ratings of Leader Effectiveness

Thompson, Jacqueline

While there have been a number of research studies devoted to understanding the leader-­subordinate exchange, together, their analyses have not yet been able to piece together the many facets of this complex relationship. Past studies have ascertained that status incongruence (age differences) between the leader and subordinates affects work outcomes. To elucidate these findings, others have called into question whether it is the actual age or the social age (perception of an individual’s age) that has greater effects on the leader-­subordinate relationship (Lawrence, 1988). This paper strives to promote an understanding of how the actual age difference between leaders and subordinates affects ratings of leader effectiveness. Specifically, how ratings of leader effectiveness are affected when the leader is younger than subordinates is addressed.