The Role of Leader Communication in Fostering Respectful Workplace Culture and Increasing Employee Engagement and Well-Being

Abstract

Although communication is commonly recognized as an indispensable element of leadership, less is known about how leadership communication interacts with workplace respect to affect employee outcomes. We surveyed 1,512 U.S. working adults to test a model that examines the relationship of leadership communication, two types of workplace respect, and occupational resilience with employee engagement and well-being. We found that leadership communication was not associated with employee engagement and well-being; however, it was positively related to respectful engagement (generalized respect extended to employees because they are part of the organization) and autonomous respect (individualized respect that recognizes specific achievements). Leadership communication was negatively associated with occupational resilience, while employee engagement and well-being were positively associated with occupational resilience, respectful engagement, and autonomous respect. Our findings indicate that leadership communication contributes to a respectful workplace culture that then positively affects employee engagement and well-being.