The Power and Peril of Awe in Leadership: Transforming Follower Identity and Behavior

Published in: Academy of Management — May 2025

Written by

Pisitta Vongswasdi, Hannes Leroy, Jochen I. Menges and Jane Le 

Summary

What we found: We developed a conceptual framework that illustrates how leaders can inspire awe through four key behaviors: charismatic leadership, exceptional performance, problem reframing, and self-sacrificial acts. Based on how they see themselves, we also identified three types of awe-inspiring leaders: independent, collective-interdependent, and humanity-oriented. Each type shapes how followers identify and behave.

Why it matters: Awe is a powerful yet underexplored emotion in organizational contexts. Understanding how it works reveals new pathways for leadership impact, demonstrating how awe elevates leaders' perceptions and transforms follower behavior, identity, and social orientation.

What next: Organizations and leaders can leverage awe by developing the behaviors that evoke it and aligning how they see themselves with the follower outcomes they want to inspire. Leadership development programs can integrate awe-based strategies to foster deeper engagement, stronger identification, and more prosocial action within teams.