How self-sacrificial leadership influences employee voice: Psychological safety as a mediator

Abstract

This research investigated the mediating role of psychological safety in the relationship between self-sacrificial leadership and employee voice. We used a two-wave survey to collect data from a sample of 329 Master of Business Administration students at two universities in North China. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results show that self-sacrificial leadership had a direct positive effect on employee voice, and psychological safety partially mediated this relationship. Our findings expand the literature on the self-sacrificial leadership–employee voice link, and highlight the importance of the role of psychological safety. This study has practical implications for managers seeking to develop a self-sacrificial leadership style to encourage employees to express constructive opinions about workrelated issues.