Lifetime Achievement Awardee

James Meindl was a gifted social psychologist best known for his development of and work on the “romance of leadership” — a social constructionist, follower-centric approach to thinking about how people tend to attribute organizational outcomes to leadership performance, rather than other pertinent contexts, factors, and processes. His work changed how leadership was understood in organizations and has remained an impressive legacy with special journal issues and entire books devoted to it.

In addition to his academic pursuits — publishing 60+ articles, holding positions in professional associations, and serving as an editor on his book series and numerous other editorial boards — Meindl worked as an organizational consultant and volunteered in his local community. The recipient of several teaching awards, Meindl traveled widely, giving lectures and seminars throughout Asia and Europe, and was admired by his students and colleagues around the world.