Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX)
Introduction
The Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX) is premised on the belief that, by understanding the relationship between a leader and followers, one can appreciate how leaders influence employees. Different leaders forge varying types of relationships with their employees. In LMX, these relationships are categorized as high-quality or low-quality (Winkler, 2010).
High Quality LMX
In a high-quality LMX relationship, there is mutual trust, warmth, helpfulness and respect between the leader and followers. Moreover, both parties transcend their job-descriptions, in helping one another to achieve personal goals. This relationship is a combination of professionalism and mutuality. Such workers are more productive than others because ...