Leader-Expressed Humility as a Moderator: Narcissistic and Paternalistic Leadership in Employee Retention

https://doi.org/10.35536/ljb.2025.v12.i2.a5

Submitted

November 22, 2023

Accepted

November 22, 2023

Accepted

November 22, 2023

Abstract

This study examines the impact of narcissistic and paternalistic leadership styles on employee
job embeddedness, as well as the moderating effect of leader-expressed humility on the relationship
between job embeddedness and employee retention. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory (SET),
Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, and Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, the research offers
a multi-theoretical perspective on how leadership behaviors influence employee attachment and retention
in organizations. Data were collected from 382 employees in the cutlery manufacturing sector of
Gujranwala, Pakistan—a region known for high labor turnover and limited organizational stability.
Using structural equation modeling, we find that narcissistic leadership negatively impacts job
embeddedness, while the moral and benevolent dimensions of paternalistic leadership positively influence
it. The authoritarian component of paternalism shows a weak but positive association. Although leaderexpressed humility correlates positively with employee retention, it does not significantly moderate the
relationship between job embeddedness and retention. The findings provide theoretical insights into the
understudied interaction between leadership styles and embeddedness in emerging economies and offer
practical guidance for human resource professionals and organizational leaders seeking to foster longterm employee commitment. Additionally, it contributes to the existing leadership literature by linking
contrasting leadership styles in a high-power distance and non-Western context. The study recommends
prioritizing relational leadership traits and reevaluating humility-based strategies in hierarchical
cultural settings.

Keywords

Narcissistic leadership

paternalistic leadership

job embeddedness

employee retention

leader-expressed humility

This work is licensed under LJB.

Ashfaq, Z., Ashraf, A., & Ahmad, J. (2025). Leader-Expressed Humility as a
Moderator: Narcissistic and Paternalistic Leadership in Employee Retention. The Lahore Journal
of Business, 12(2), 110-136

https://doi.org/10.35536/ljb.2025.v12.i2.a5

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