Abstract
Although researchers have confirmed the relationship between positive leadership styles and work–family enrichment, benevolent leadership has received little attention. Drawing from the concept of mood contagion, this study explores the underlying mechanism between benevolent leadership and work–family enrichment. Using a survey of 459 employees, across 36 supervisors and their work groups, and multilevel structural equation modelling, this study revealed that benevolent leadership is positively associated with work–family enrichment via cross‐level paths. The results indicated that benevolent leadership is associated with positive group affective tone, which further predicts subordinates’ work–family enrichment. Moreover, work engagement mediates the relationship between positive group affective tone and work–family enrichment. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.