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The effects of transformational and instrumental leadership on followers’ levels of cortisol

Work-related stress has considerable consequences for organizations. Thus, the prevention of stress has the potential to positively affect employees’ health and performance. While previous research found the first evidence that transformational leadership is negatively related to followers’ levels of perceived stress, this research was limited by its reliance on common methods and subjective experience of stress. In addition, innovative leadership concepts such as instrumental leadership have not been explored as potential barriers to followers’ stress. The present article has therefore tested the relationships between transformational and instrumental leadership by utilizing an objective indicator of stress, namely followers’ levels of cortisol, as measured in two samples. In sample 1, followers provided two saliva samples per day; in sample 2, they provided samples of their hair. For both saliva and hair, reliable and valid assessments of cortisol are feasible and were utilized for the purpose of the present study. Results revealed that transformational leadership had no effect on cortisol levels. However, instrumental leadership was negatively associated with (a) evening levels of saliva cortisol and (b) hair cortisol. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.