Final answer:
Emotional intelligence is key in the leader-follower relationship dynamics. Leaders should adapt their styles to match the needs of their followers, taking into account individual differences like extroversion, autonomy, and need for growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
A leader's level of emotional intelligence is crucial in understanding and managing the leader-follower relationship. Research suggests that not all leadership styles mesh well with every type of follower. One aspect of followership is the level of extroversion individuals have—those higher in extroversion may require different interaction levels from their leaders.
Leadership functions are often categorized as instrumental or expressive. Instrumental leaders are task-oriented and focus on accomplishing goals, while expressive leaders concentrate on emotional health and supportiveness. A leader's ability to adapt their style to match their follower's needs, which may vary in terms of autonomy, need for leadership, and need for growth, significantly influences the effectiveness of the leader-follower dynamic.
An understanding of psychology and individual differences in followers can help leaders be more effective regardless of societal expectations or stereotypes regarding leadership styles, which may be subject to influence by factors such as gender roles or societal norms.