Pygmalion leadership, psychological capital and task performance: examining their inter-relationships among hotel employees

Pygmalion leaders set high expectations of their employees such that the employees strive to meet such expectations which improves their performance. It is observed that clarity is required to fully understand the mechanisms by which such leaders foster employees’ task performance. Thus, the mediating role of psychological capital (PsyCap) in the connection between Pygmalion leadership and hotel employees’ task performance is examined. The direct links between Pygmalion leadership and employees’ task performance; Pygmalion leadership and PsyCap; and PsyCap and employees’ task performance were first examined. Through PLS-SEM, it is established that positive and significant relationships exist between the direct links. Finally, the Pygmalion leadership and employees’ task performance nexus is mediated by PsyCap. Implications for hotel managers and scholars are offered.