The effect of sexual relationship on perception of leadership competence, authority, and professional legitimacy is a multifaceted issue that has been studied extensively in recent years. This phenomenon has attracted significant attention from scholars who have attempted to unravel its nature, manifestations, prevalence, and implications for organizations and society at large. Leadership refers to the ability to motivate, direct, and influence followers towards achieving set goals through the exercise of power and authority. The concept encompasses various factors such as communication skills, decision making abilities, charisma, vision, persuasion, and emotional intelligence among others. Sexual relationships are a vital aspect of human life which can either enhance or diminish one's leadership potential.
Many research studies have established that leaders who engage in intimate relationships with their subordinates experience higher levels of perceived legitimacy compared to those who do not. Intimate relationships create an emotional bond between the leader and his/her subordinates, leading to greater trust, respect, loyalty, and commitment.
A study by Smith et al. (2018) found that employees who perceive their bosses as having strong interpersonal skills were more likely to view them as competent leaders than those who did not. In addition, intimate relationships create a sense of closeness and familiarity between the parties involved, fostering openness, honesty, and transparency.
Sexual relationships can also backfire and negatively impact perceptions of leadership competence, authority, and professional legitimacy. When leaders engage in extramarital affairs or sexually harass their subordinates, they risk losing credibility and trust from both stakeholders inside and outside the organization. This phenomenon has been attributed to the negative connotations associated with sexual misconduct, whereby individuals tend to view it as immoral and unethical. As a result, employees may lose faith in their leader's integrity, judgement, and ability to lead effectively, thereby undermining their leadership effectiveness.
Sexual harassment cases often attract public scrutiny and legal consequences, damaging the reputation of both the perpetrator and the organization.
Sexual relationships have both positive and negative implications for perceptions of leadership competence, authority, and professional legitimacy. While intimacy can enhance credibility and boost performance, improper conduct such as infidelity and sexual harassment can severely damage an individual's image and career prospects. Therefore, leaders must strike a balance between maintaining healthy personal relationships and upholding ethical standards to ensure that they achieve optimal success while avoiding reputational risks.
How do sexual relationships affect perceptions of leadership competence, authority, and professional legitimacy?
Sexual relationships between superiors and subordinates can create a power imbalance that may impact their perceptions of each other's leadership competence, authority, and professional legitimacy. The superior may view the subordinate as more loyal due to the relationship but also feel threatened by any possible accusations of favoritism or nepotism, which can hinder their ability to effectively lead the team.