Cross-Domain Influences on Leader and Follower Identities

Abstract Traditionally, leadership has been thought of as a workplace-only construct in which opportunities to enact and develop leadership occur primarily at work; however, individuals live, learn, and grow in all areas of their lives. Likewise, identities as leaders and followers begin to form long before entering the workforce. This chapter provides an overview of ways in which experiences outside of work influence leader and follower identities. The authors draw from the literature on leader(ship) development, identity, and the work-life interface in their review of cross-domain influences on the meaning of leadership and followership, integration of those identities across different domains, levels of self, and strength of leader and follower identities. They review ways in which non-work experiences impact leader and follower development across the life span in both intentional and unexpected ways. Based on their review of current literature, they highlight areas ripe for future research and recommendations for the practice of leadership development.