What does leader-member exchange theory focus on?

Leader-member exchange (LMX) theory primarily emphasizes the dyadic relationships that form between leaders and their individual followers, highlighting how these relationships evolve over time. It posits that leaders do not engage with their subordinates uniformly but rather create unique exchanges with each member based on mutual trust, respect, and obligation.

This theory indicates that the quality of the leader-member relationship can significantly influence important outcomes such as job satisfaction, performance, organizational commitment, and overall team dynamics. When a leader fosters a strong, positive relationship with a subordinate, it often leads to increased motivation and productivity for that team member. In contrast, weaker exchanges might result in lower engagement levels.

The other choices do not encapsulate the essence of LMX theory. For instance, while collective goals, leadership skills, and collaboration strategies are important elements in various leadership and team dynamic models, they do not specifically address the core focus of LMX, which is the individual interactions and the quality of exchanges between leaders and their team members.