Leadership and Creativity: is there a Common Psychological Background for Both?

Abstract

The aim of the study is to discuss the relationship between leadership and creativity at a personal level, and to trace non-cognitive psychological factors which possibly determine creativity at work. The methods of scientific literature analysis and empirical qualitative research have been employed for the investigation. The richest 7 journals (diaries) of creative activity have been selected for empirical research from the total of 52 samples.

The study presents empirical evidence of such factors of creativity and leadership as emotional involvement and the work - way of life connection. It also draws attention to the problem of creativity levels at an organization and stresses the connection between creativity and leadership. These problems still lack considerable attention of researchers, as the article shows. Main research implications for practice include the possibility to foresee high creativity and leadership at work by assessing the aforesaid individual characteristics. Findings of the research are relevant to the paradigm of person-centric work psychology and sustainable socio-economic development.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ss.80.2.4844