Transformational leadership and group potency in small military units: the mediating role of group identification and cohesion

espanolIn the present study, we examined an exploratory model to assess the relationship between transformational leadership and group potency and analyze the mediating role of group identification and cohesion. The research was conducted with squads of the Spanish Army. The sample was composed of 243 members of 51 squads of operational units. Our findings highlighted the importance of the transformational leadership style of command of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) due to its positive relationship with the group potency of the squad. We also analyzed the indirect relationships between transformational leadership and group identification and group cohesion and found that the latter variables played a mediating role between transformational leadership and group potency. The conclusions of this study are relevant due to the growing importance of transformational leadership and actions implemented at lower levels of the command chain for the success of missions of security organizations and defense. EnglishEn el presente estudio se examina un modelo exploratorio que evalua la relacion entre liderazgo transformacional y potencia del grupo donde se analiza el papel mediador de la identificacion de grupo y la cohesion grupal. La investigacion se realizo con pelotones del ejercito espanol. La muestra se compuso de 243 miembros de 51 pelotones de unidades operativas. Se destacan de los resultados la importancia del estilo de liderazgo transformacional en el mando de los suboficiales debido a su relacion positiva con la potencia de grupo. Se analizaron las relaciones indirectas entre variables existiendo un papel mediador de la identificacion y la cohesion entre liderazgo transformacional y la potencia del grupo. Las conclusiones de este estudio son relevantes debido a la importancia del liderazgo transformacional para ser ejercido en los niveles mas basicos de la cadena de mando con objeto de obtener exito en las misiones asignadas a las organizaciones de defensa y seguridad.