Identity Leadership: United in Team Spirit

This chapter introduces the concept of identity leadership, a group-oriented approach that emphasizes the central role of a shared identity in effective leadership. Fostering a shared identity among group members and thus transforming individual self-definitions into group-oriented self-definitions and corresponding actions are a unique conceptualization of leadership. The chapter shows how leaders and followers come to see and identify themselves as members of the same group, how this understanding is contextually shaped, and how it affects individuals and teamwork. The authors present the four principles of identity leadership using research findings and practical examples. The chapter concludes by highlighting implications for future research.