The Effects of Employee Dark Triad Traits and Leadership Styles on Work-Related Outcomes in China: An Agency-Communion Perspective

This study investigated the effects of employees’ dark triad traits and leadership styles on employees’ work outcomes among Chinese employees (N = 332). Four leadership scenarios were designed, based on a combination of leadership agency and communion, in order to capture goal-oriented and people-oriented leadership behaviors. Participants were randomly assigned to a leadership scenario and filled out a work-related questionnaire after reading it. We used hierarchical regression models to conduct the analyses. Next to significant direct effects of employees’ dark triad traits and leadership styles on work outcomes, there were significant interaction effects between employees’ Machiavellianism and leadership styles on their work outcomes. More specifically, compared to other leadership styles, high agency-low communion leadership was more likely to activate counterproductive work behavior (CWB) and emotional exhaustion among Machiavellians. No interaction effects occurred for narcissism and psychopathy.