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It is OK to Express Guilt: The Prosocial Interpersonal Effects of Leader Guilt Display

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  • Beier Hong

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Jianghua Mao

    (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law)

  • Wenxing Liu

    (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law)

Abstract

The role of other-directed moral emotions (e.g. anger) in constructing leadership ethics is well-discussed, yet the effects of leaders expressing self-directed moral emotions remain under-explored. This paper focuses on guilt, a typical self-conscious moral emotion, to investigate the interpersonal prosocial impact of a leader’s guilt expression. Drawing from the emotion as social information theory, we propose that a leader’s guilt expression can enhance followers’ forgiveness and organizational citizen behaviors by evoking followers’ moved emotions and delivering the leader’s benevolence information. Additionally, we examine the moderating role of the quality of leader–member exchange in these effects. Our results, obtained through a two-wave field survey (Study 1), a critical incident technique experiment (Study 2), and a scenario experiment (Study 3), provide support for most of our hypotheses. Our research contributes to the EASI theory and literature on emotions and provides practical guidance on leader emotional management.

Suggested Citation

  • Beier Hong & Jianghua Mao & Wenxing Liu, 2025. "It is OK to Express Guilt: The Prosocial Interpersonal Effects of Leader Guilt Display," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 201(1), pages 93-110, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:201:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-025-05925-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-025-05925-x
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