Employees high in political skill viewed as role model or gossip target? Linking political skill to coworker envy, observational learning and negative gossip, and the moderating role of workplace friendship

Abstract The effects of political skill on the actors themselves have been extensively studied, yet there has been a lack of comprehensive analysis regarding its influence on the reactions of coworkers. Drawing upon social comparison theory, we developed and tested a model to explore potential reactions from coworkers toward employees high in political skill. We theorized that employees high in political skill hold a more prominent status within the team, which in turn exposes them to being the target of coworker envy, and ultimately coworker different reactions (observational learning and negative gossip). We also hypothesized that the serial‐mediated relationships are moderated by workplace friendship. Using time‐lagged data from 830 dyad of 350 employees in 107 teams, our results supported that political skill was positively and indirectly related to coworker envy, via relative leader‐member exchange (RLMX). Furthermore, the results of our study supported the positive and indirect effect of political skill on observational learning and negative gossip via RLMX and coworker envy. Workplace friendship has a moderating effect on the relationship between coworker envy and observational learning/negative gossip, and between political skill and observational learning/negative gossip. This research provides an explanation of when and why coworkers engage in observational learning or negative gossip about employees high in political skill, contributing to a more comprehensive and balanced understanding of the management practices related to political skill guidance.