Abstract
This study tests a category of taxonomic leadership behaviour – supervisor needs-supportive behaviour – as an advance over the redundancy and proliferation of leadership ‘styles.’ Specifically, this study investigates the impact of supervisor needs-supportive behaviour on employee well-being by exploring the mechanisms through which these behaviours initiate a positive gains cycle. The present work integrates Conservation of Resources theory and Self-Determination Theory to explain how supervisor behaviours that support employees’ needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness can contribute to sustained employee well-being. The study used a time-lagged design and collected survey data from (N = 359) employees across organisations in Australia. Findings indicate that supervisor needs-supportive behaviours significantly improve employees’ well-being through the hypothesised positive gains cycle, driven by increased needs satisfaction and flourishing. The results support a sequential mediation model that highlights the role of supervisors in fostering a supportive and resource-rich work environment.