Role Models in Leadership and Self Psychology According to Kohut

The purpose of this paper is to identify attributive constructs of leadership and look at them from a critical perspective. First we will have a look on the self psychology according to Kohut (1996). Then leader role models created by subordinates are examined in detail. The theoretical basis for this empirical study is provided by attribution theory. Empirical role models for leaders are investigated from the perspective of attribution theory, and the relationships between the perceptions of leaders and subordinates – as well as their effects on satisfaction with leadership styles – are examined. Finally, these results are compared with Kohut's findings in order to establish a psychological basis for the leadership role models recorded here and suggestions for a better arrangement of leader-subordinates relationship within companies will be made.