Positive team atmosphere mediates the impact of authentic leadership on subordinate creativity

We analyzed how authentic leadership (AL) predicts subordinate creativity, taking into account the possible mediator of positive team atmosphere. Participants were 69 team leaders and 335 team members working in enterprises in China. Subordinates reported their perception of there being an atmosphere of team trust and psychological safety at work, in addition to the AL of their supervisors, whereas supervisors rated employee creativity. The main findings were as follows: (a) AL positively predicted employee creativity through the mediators of both atmosphere of team trust and psychological safety; and (b) atmosphere of team trust and psychological safety positively affected teams’ knowledge sharing and, in turn, creativity. Our results enrich understanding of the processes through which AL improves subordinates’ creativity. By promoting AL and a team atmosphere of trust and psychological safety, organizations may enhance employees’ creative performance.