Chapter 7: The Complexity of Communication in Leader-Member Exchanges

The research on leader-member exchange (LMX) has provided many useful insights into superior-subordinate communication in organizations. In general, the findings suggest that a higher level of LMX relationship is better, resulting in, for example, more role clarity and job satisfaction for subordinates. An assumption behind LMX is that a greater quantity of communication and higher quality of communication is always better. This chapter examines some of the research that indicates that higher LMX communication is not always more positive in a superior-subordinate relationship and other research that indicates that more communication of certain kinds does not always result in more positive outcomes in various organizational contexts. Then it provides three possible theoretical explanations for why more communication is not always better. Finally, it suggests areas for future research.