Title: Beyond the positive: understanding followers' endorsement of manipulative and tyrannical traits through implicit leadership and self-construal

Authors: Mona Pearl; Richard Muszynski III

Addresses: Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, Wilkes University, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, USA ' Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, Wilkes University, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, USA

Abstract: This study (N = 595) investigates who supports tyrannical and manipulative leaders, utilising a two-step approach involving latent profile analysis (LPA) that classified respondents into distinct profiles while stepwise logistic regression identified key endorsement predictors. Results show that self-construal, leadership experience, and years in the workforce significantly predict the endorsement or rejection of tyrannical and manipulative leadership. Respondents with interdependent self-construal, leadership experience, and moderate work experience demonstrated the highest level of support for tyrannical and manipulative leaders (66.62%). Respondents with extensive work experience, non-interdependent self-construal, and no leadership experience are more inclined to oppose tyrannical and manipulative leaders (4.36%). The analysis underscores the influence of implicit leadership theories (ILTs) and self-construal in shaping perceptions of leadership effectiveness, highlighting how demographic factors intersect with these dynamics. These insights hold significance for enhancing leadership effectiveness, fostering ethical practices, and addressing the risks of manipulative leadership within diverse cultural and organisational contexts.

Keywords: ILT; implicit leadership theory; self-construal; LPA; latent profile analysis; leader emergence; individual differences; tyrannical leader; manipulative leader; stepwise logistic regression.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTGM.2025.151482

International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, 2025 Vol.21 No.6, pp.626 - 650

Received: 15 Nov 2024
Accepted: 31 Mar 2025
Published online: 02 Feb 2026 *

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