Leadership Convergence: An Application of Within and Between to Validity

Problems in drawing inferences about leadership phenomena when multiple units of analysis (groups and individuals) simultaneously exist in a data set are addressed. Using a technique recommended by Dan sereau and Dumas (1977), within-unit and between- unit sources of covariation are examined for data con taining matched superior-subordinate reports. In this data set matched superior-subordinate reports were not significantly correlated at the individual level. When supervisory group differences were held constant, however, the relationships between these matched re ports were significantly greater than zero. This conver gent validity within supervisory units suggests an ap proach to validity which is not included in traditional theories of leadership.