Relational Energy: A moderated mediation model of Leader-Member Exchange on Job Satisfaction

Interactions with others at work can leave us feeling energized, or not. Relational energy, which is defined as the heightened level of psychological resourcefulness generated from interpersonal interactions that enhances one’s capacity to do work, has been related to a range of positive outcomes. As the notion of relational energy gains momentum in the literature, it remains unclear how relational energy relates to outcomes and where it comes from. Past research has demonstrated that the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) relationship plays a pivotal role in enhancing employee job satisfaction. In this paper, we examine how and when LMX relates to employee job satisfaction by examining relational energy from supervisor as a mediator and relational energy from co-workers as a boundary condition. We test our theoretical model using a sample of 211 employees nested in 17 teams. Results support our moderated-mediation model.