Affiliation:
1. Université de Montréal, Canada
2. Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada
3. HEC Montréal, Canada
Abstract
Confusion persists about the overlap between high-quality leader-member exchange (LMX) relationships and personal friendships between a leader and a subordinate. How these notions differ, shift from one to the other, and what their consequences are remain unclear. This paper proposes a framework that examines the fundamental differences between high LMX relationships and friendships. We argue that when high LMX relationships shift toward friendships, they in fact shift toward blended friendships, where the leader and the subordinate concomitantly enact two distinct roles, worker and friend. These blended friendships are qualitatively different from high LMX and from friendships. We detail the process by which blended friendship develops in the context of high LMX relationships and identify the key variables and mechanisms that drive the emergence of such blended friendships. We then examine how subordinates’ well-being, job engagement, performance, and turnover may simultaneously benefit and suffer from their involvement in a blended friendship.
Funder
Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Société et Culture
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada