The Effect of Leadership Style on Organizational Optimism by Mediating Role of Psychological Climate

Although the impact of a leadership style has recognized over the years, there is a need for better understanding of its relationship with organizational optimism. This paper examines the impact of leadership style on organizational optimism with respect to the mediating role of psychological climate. Research method was applied based on aim and was quantitative based on data collecting with the approach of correlation. Based on a convenience method, 145 staff and professors working at Farhangian University were determined. To collect data, leadership style questionnaire (Lathans), psychological climate questionnaire (Koys & Decotiis) and organizational optimism questionnaire (Smith, Caputi & Crittenden) have used. For data analysis was used the Structural equation modeling. The results indicate that leadership style is not significantly related to organizational optimism, though psychological climate related positively to organizational optimism. The major hypothesis of this study also supported and results indicated (0.53) of the total effect of relationship-oriented leadership style indirectly explained by the psychological climate. According to the results, organizational optimism in University staff and professors can be improvement by using relationship-oriented leadership style.