A Systematic Review of the Leader Identity Research: A Road Map for the Rigorous Study and Advancement of Leader Identity

Publication Date

8-1-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Organizational Psychology Review

Volume

15

Issue

3

DOI

10.1177/20413866251351752

First Page

321

Last Page

357

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, the construct of leader identity—the internalization of “leader” into one's self-concept—has experienced an exponential growth in attention among researchers and practitioners alike. This boom in research has yielded broad support for leader identity as an important predictor of leadership outcomes; however, this rapid growth has also created a disjointed construct space with theoretical and methodological challenges. In a systematic review of nearly 200 papers, we apply the existing theoretical framework of multi-dimensional leader identity (Hammond et al., 2017; strength, meaning, level, integration) to organize factors affecting the leader identity construction process as well as three functions leader identity serves—motivation, interpretive lens, and a relational foundation. Finally, we offer guidance to create a road map for the rigorous study and advancement of leader identity research.

Funding Sponsor

Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Keywords

leader identity, leadership, systematic review

Department

Management

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