Developmental leadership, skill development, and work engagement

Abstract

The current research examined the relationship between developmental leadership and followers’ work engagement based on the notion that developmental leaders may strengthen subordinates’ job-related skills and knowledge development. Using the Federal Human Capital Survey dataset over three years, the research addressed two research questions: (1) Is developmental leadership positively related to work engagement? and (2) Does perceived skill development moderate the relationship between developmental leadership and work engagement? Results showed that both developmental leadership and perceived skill development positively and significantly affected public employees’ work engagement. In addition, perceived skill improvement had a moderating effect on the relationship between developmental leadership and work engagement. © 2020, © 2020 The Korean Association for Public Administration.