Leader’s emotional stability and subordinate’s emotional exhaustion; does abusive supervision matter?

Purpose This study investigates the link between leader’s emotional stability (ES) and subordinate’s emotional exhaustion (EE) in the Ghanaian Banking Industry, exploring the mediating role of abusive supervision (AS). Design/methodology/approach The study used a cross-sectional survey with 364 participants from Ghanaian commercial banks, chosen for their key roles in the sector. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, and the study’s hypotheses were tested using a structural equation model as the analytical tool. Findings The findings revealed that no significant relationship exist between ES and EE. Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between ES and AS. However, the study revealed a significant positive relationship between AS and EE. Additionally, the study showed that AS did not mediate the relationship between ES and EE. Research limitations/implications Although the findings are promising, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Future studies should employ qualitative or mixed method approaches to identify these mechanisms. Additionally, a longitudinal design could assess the consistency or changes in observed effects over an extended period. Practical implications To mitigate EE caused by AS government and organizations should enact inclusive policies, fostering a respectful culture, providing leadership training and establishing reporting mechanisms. Prioritizing employees’ ES in recruitment can help prevent AS. Originality/value This study reveals that EE in employees is linked to the leader’s lack of ES. AS does not impact the connection between a stable leader and subordinate exhaustion. Organizations should prioritize leaders’ ES to mitigate employee burnout.