Reciprocal Longitudinal Relations Between Leader and Follower Effectiveness

This study examined the longitudinal reciprocal effects between leader effectiveness and follower effectiveness (leaders lower in the hierarchy and groups of soldiers). The effectiveness of 60 groups of soldiers and their commanders up to platoon level was measured at 3 points in time. The results show that platoon commanders have an effect on the performance of their groups but not on the groups' cohesion or attitudes. In turn, commander effectiveness is influenced by the attitudes of the groups of soldiers and of the deputy group commanders. The results suggest that groups perform better when they are more open to leadership.