Overview
Background
Nik is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Business and Organisational Psychology (CBOP) at UQ's School of Psychology. After studying and working in Germany, the UK, and Spain, he completed his PhD at the University of Exeter (UK) and joined UQ in 2012.
His research unpacks the psychology of teams and organisations: how shared identity and team processes shape leadership and followership, motivation and creativity, and health and well-being. He combines experiments, field, survey, and archival research, intervention trials, psychometric development, and systematic reviews / meta-analyses to generate informative and practical insights.
His work has been supported by industry–research partnerships with public and private organisations, Government, and the Australian Research Council (including a DECRA fellowship). With colleagues and industry collaborators, he co-developed the 5R leadership programme—recognised with the APS Workplace Excellence Award (Leadership Development)—to help develop people's leadership ability and enhance team functioning and well-being (https://tinyurl.com/adfu7xbu).
He is a co-founder of the Global Identity Leadership Development (GILD) network and serves on the editorial boards of The Leadership Quarterly and the European Journal of Social Psychology. He is co-editor (with Michelle Ryan and Floor Rink) of Organisational Psychology: Revisiting the Classic Studies (SAGE, 2023) (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/organisational-psychology/book269849).
Through research–practice partnerships, he offers data- and evidence-based consulting and organisational coaching (certified by the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership), helping organisations translate research into performance and wellbeing gains.
Availability
- Associate Professor Nik Steffens is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Exeter
Works
Search Professor Nik Steffens’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Journal Article
Attributions of leaders’ charisma increase after their death: the mediating role of identity leadership and identity fusion
van Dick, Rolf, Fink, Louisa, Steffens, Niklas K, Peters, Kim and Haslam, S. Alexander (2019). Attributions of leaders’ charisma increase after their death: the mediating role of identity leadership and identity fusion. Leadership, 15 (5), 576-589. doi: 10.1177/1742715018807042
2019
Journal Article
Social identification-building interventions to improve health: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Steffens, Niklas K., La Rue, Crystal J., Haslam, Catherine, Walter, Zoe C., Cruwys, Tegan, Munt, Katie A., Alexander Haslam, S., Jetten, Jolanda and Tarrant, Mark (2019). Social identification-building interventions to improve health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review, 15 (1), 1-28. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2019.1669481
2019
Journal Article
Leaders’ creation of shared identity impacts group members’ effort and performance: Evidence from an exercise task
Stevens, Mark, Rees, Tim, Steffens, Niklas K., Haslam, S. Alexander, Coffee, Pete and Polman, Remco (2019). Leaders’ creation of shared identity impacts group members’ effort and performance: Evidence from an exercise task. PLoS One, 14 (7) e0218984, e0218984. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218984
2019
Book Chapter
The importance of creating and harnessing a sense of ‘us’: social identity as the missing link between leadership and health
Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K. and Peters, Kim (2019). The importance of creating and harnessing a sense of ‘us’: social identity as the missing link between leadership and health. Social scaffolding: applying the lessons of contemporary social science to health and healthcare. (pp. 302-311) edited by Richard Williams, Verity Kemp, S. Alexander Haslam, Catherine Haslam, Kamaldeep S. Bhui and Sue Bailey. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781911623069.029
2019
Journal Article
Shared social identity content is the basis for leaders’ mobilization of followers
Slater, Matthew J., Coffee, Pete, Barker, Jamie B., Haslam, S. Alexander and Steffens, Niklas K. (2019). Shared social identity content is the basis for leaders’ mobilization of followers. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 43, 271-278. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.03.012
2019
Journal Article
One of us … and us … and us: evidence that leaders’ multiple identity prototypicality (LMIP) is related to their perceived effectiveness
Steffens, Niklas K., Peters, Kim, Haslam, S. Alexander and Platow, Michael J. (2019). One of us … and us … and us: evidence that leaders’ multiple identity prototypicality (LMIP) is related to their perceived effectiveness. Comprehensive Results in Social Psychology, 3 (2), 175-199. doi: 10.1080/23743603.2019.1624156
2019
Book Chapter
Inspired and appreciated by the group: the social identity approach to creativity
Haslam, S. Alexander, Adarves-Yorno, Inmaculada, Steffens, Niklas K. and Postmes, Tom (2019). Inspired and appreciated by the group: the social identity approach to creativity. The Oxford handbook of group creativity and innovation. (pp. 117-131) edited by Paul B. Paulus and Bernard A. Nijstad. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190648077.013.8
2019
Journal Article
Gender differences in how leaders determine succession potential: the role of interpersonal fit with followers
Rink, Floor, Stoker, Janka, Ryan, Michelle K., Steffens, Niklas K. and Pieterse, Anne Nederveen (2019). Gender differences in how leaders determine succession potential: the role of interpersonal fit with followers. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 (MAY) 752, 752. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00752
2019
Book Chapter
Fat cats and thin followers: excessive CEO pay may reduce ability to lead
Peters, Kim, Fonseca, Miguel A., Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K. and Quiggin, John (2019). Fat cats and thin followers: excessive CEO pay may reduce ability to lead. The social psychology of inequality. (pp. 21-34) edited by Jolanda Jetten and Kim Peters. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-28856-3_2
2019
Journal Article
The importance of social groups for retirement adjustment: evidence, application, and policy implications of the social identity model of identity change
Haslam, Catherine, Steffens, Niklas K., Branscombe, Nyla R., Haslam, S. Alexander, Cruwys, Tegan, Lam, Ben C. P., Pachana, Nancy A. and Yang, Jie (2019). The importance of social groups for retirement adjustment: evidence, application, and policy implications of the social identity model of identity change. Social Issues and Policy Review, 13 (1), 93-124. doi: 10.1111/sipr.12049
2019
Book Chapter
Do people want more wealth and status in unequal societies?
Wang, Zhechen, Jetten, Jolanda and Steffens, Niklas K. (2019). Do people want more wealth and status in unequal societies?. The Social Psychology of Inequality. (pp. 289-303) edited by Jolanda Jetten and Kim Peters. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-28856-3_18
2018
Journal Article
Shared adversity increases team creativity through fostering supportive interaction
Bastian, Brock, Jetten, Jolanda, Thai, Hannibal A. and Steffens, Niklas K. (2018). Shared adversity increases team creativity through fostering supportive interaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 9 (NOV) 2309, 2309. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02309
2018
Journal Article
Adjusting to life in retirement: the protective role of new group memberships and identification as a retiree
Haslam, Catherine, Lam, Ben C. P., Branscombe, Nyla R., Steffens, Niklas K., Haslam, S. Alexander, Cruwys, Tegan, Fong, Polly and Ball, Thomas C. (2018). Adjusting to life in retirement: the protective role of new group memberships and identification as a retiree. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 27 (6), 822-839. doi: 10.1080/1359432X.2018.1538127
2018
Journal Article
Identity centrality moderates the relationship between acceptance of group-based stressors and well-being
Crane, Monique Frances, Louis, Winnifred R., Phillips, Jacqueline K., Amiot, Catherine E. and Steffens, Niklas K. (2018). Identity centrality moderates the relationship between acceptance of group-based stressors and well-being. European Journal of Social Psychology, 48 (6), 866-882. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2367
2018
Journal Article
Identity and stress: an application of the expanded model of organisational identification in predicting strain at work
Ciampa, Valeria, Steffens, Niklas K., Schuh, Sebastian C., Fraccaroli, Franco and van Dick, Rolf (2018). Identity and stress: an application of the expanded model of organisational identification in predicting strain at work. Work and Stress, 33 (4), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/02678373.2018.1521884
2018
Journal Article
Multiple social groups support adjustment to retirement across cultures
Lam, Ben C. P., Haslam, Catherine, Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K., Cruwys, Tegan, Jetten, Jolanda and Yang, Jie (2018). Multiple social groups support adjustment to retirement across cultures. Social Science & Medicine, 208, 200-208. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.05.049
2018
Journal Article
The unfolding impact of leader identity entrepreneurship on burnout, work engagement, and turnover intentions
Steffens, Niklas K, Yang, Jie, Jetten, Jolanda, Haslam, S Alexander and Lipponen, Jukka (2018). The unfolding impact of leader identity entrepreneurship on burnout, work engagement, and turnover intentions. Journal of occupational health psychology, 23 (3), 373-387. doi: 10.1037/ocp0000090
2018
Journal Article
How feedback about leadership potential impacts ambition, organizational commitment, and performance
Steffens, Niklas K., Fonseca, Miguel A., Ryan, Michelle K., Rink, Floor A., Stoker, Janka I. and Nederveen Pieterse, Anne (2018). How feedback about leadership potential impacts ambition, organizational commitment, and performance. The Leadership Quarterly, 29 (6), 637-647. doi: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.06.001
2018
Journal Article
Leaders promote attendance in sport and exercise sessions by fostering social identity
Stevens, M., Rees, T., Coffee, P., Haslam, S.A., Steffens, N.K. and Polman, R. (2018). Leaders promote attendance in sport and exercise sessions by fostering social identity. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 28 (9), 2100-2108. doi: 10.1111/sms.13217
2018
Journal Article
Superstars are not necessarily role models: morality perceptions moderate the impact of competence perceptions on supervisor role modeling
Peters, Kim, Steffens, Niklas K. and Morgenroth, Thekla (2018). Superstars are not necessarily role models: morality perceptions moderate the impact of competence perceptions on supervisor role modeling. European Journal of Social Psychology, 48 (6), 725-746. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2372
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Nik Steffens is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
From Privilege to Autocracy: The Hidden Costs of Inequality in Resource Distribution on Leadership Behaviors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Social Identity in Leadership Coaching
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
Doctor Philosophy
Social identity processes affecting retirement from sport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Haslam, Professor Alex Haslam
Completed supervision
-
2025
Master Philosophy
Leadership in Group Exercise
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding what it means to be 'us': Collective identity content and clarity.
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Master Philosophy
What Does it Mean to Follow? Exploring Theories, Definitions, and Measures of Followership
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
How leaders fall: Exploring the process of leadership destabilization
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Identity leadership in action: An ethnographic approach to identify leadership behaviours in a professional football team
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam, Professor Cliff Mallett
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Scaling identity leadership: Pathways to the implementation of a social identity-based leadership development program
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
From Intent to Impact: Spotlighting the Understudied Role of Employee Inclusivity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Professor Tyler Okimoto
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Social Connectedness and Retirement Adjustment: The Contribution of Social Participation and Social Group Memberships
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Haslam
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
An Examination of Players' Shared Leadership in the Australian Men's Professional Football League
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne, Professor Cliff Mallett
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Who Aspires to Have More? The Impacts of Social Class and Economic Inequality on People's Desire for Wealth and Status
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
-
2017
Master Philosophy
A Social Identity Perspective on the Management of Confidential Information in Organisational Contexts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
Media
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