The Role of Intuitive Cognitive Style in the Adaptive Performance of Leaders

https://doi.org/10.5935/rpot/2025.25304

Abstract

This empirical study, based on the Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory, part of the dual processing theories, aimed to explore the relationship between leaders’ characteristics, notably the intuitive cognitive style and experience in the leadership role, and adaptive performance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The theoretical framework highlighted the potential of intuition for the adaptive performance of professionals. The sample consisted of 120 organizational leaders from service sector companies, and the proposed model predicted a mediating relationship of the intuitive cognitive style between leadership experience and adaptive performance, and also a moderating effect of experience in on the effect of the intuitive style on performance. A series of five regression analyses was performed. Although neither the mediation nor the moderation effect were confirmed, intuition had a significant positive relationship with leaders' adaptive performance. The results indicate that intuitive cognitive style may influence the ability of organizational leaders to adapt their performance to changes in the environment.