Showing one's true colors: Leader Machiavellianism, rules and instrumental climate, and abusive supervision

Machiavellian (Mach) leaders' tendency to engage in hostile, abusive behavior is destructive for followers and organizations. Yet previous studies suggest that Machs do not always show negative leader behaviors such as supervision. Drawing on trait activation theory, we propose the manifestation of Mach trait-relevant depends upon contextual cues from psychological work climate. Specifically, argue a low rule climate or high instrumental offers relevant expression. We find support our hypotheses two 219 183 leader–follower dyads. Both climate, Machiavellianism positively related supervision, which, turn, negatively subordinate OCB emotional exhaustion. However, when low, expressed, thus, there no indirect effect follower exhaustion through Thus, study shows critical expression consequences occur.