Work

Up to You and up to Them—Achievement and Power Motives as Building Blocks of Leadership Potential and Overall Reputation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Building on socioanalytic theory and signaling theory, this study examined whether self-reported motives-representing individuals' identities-translate into reputational outcomes. Furthermore, drawing on role congruity theory, the study examined whether gender would moderate the strength of the relationship between the self-reported motives and reputational consequences. METHODS: = 508) of overall reputation and leadership potential. RESULTS: We found that (a) achievement motive was positively associated with leadership potential and overall reputation (including trustworthiness and competence); (b) power motive was positively associated with leadership potential; and (c) both motives were equally strong predictors of leadership potential, but only achievement motive was a significant predictor of overall reputation. Finally, in line with role congruity theory, we observed that the positive associations between both motives and leadership potential were stronger for male than for female students. However, for overall reputation, this applied only to the power motive, suggesting that gender affects how motivational signals are socially interpreted. CONCLUSIONS: These findings offer implications for future research and provide practical insights into talent identification, leadership development, and performance evaluation processes.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs16010131

Authors: Antun Palanović, Nataša Trojak, Zvonimir Galić

Institutions: Algebra Bernays University, University of Zagreb

Language: English

Topic: Education, Achievement, and Giftedness

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654

Funder: Hrvatska Zaklada za Znanost