Fostering innovation in the Southern Indian IT sectors: the mediating role of thriving at work and trust in leader in inclusive leadership

This study explores the influence of inclusive leadership on innovative work behaviour, considering the mediating factors trust in leader and thriving at work, drawing on the optimal distinctiveness theory. The survey, conducted with convenience sampling, included 354 participants employed in the southern region of Indian IT sectors. We scrutinised the suggested serial mediation model using PLS-SEM. The findings indicated that inclusive leadership has a positive influence innovative work behaviour, trust in leader and thriving at work. Furthermore, trust in leader and thriving at work sequentially mediate the relationship between inclusive leadership and innovative work behaviour. The reliability of the outcomes may be affected by the limited sample size and cross-sectional design. These findings suggest that organisations can enhance innovative work behaviour by adopting inclusive leadership, fostering trust, and promoting employee thriving. Aligned with optimal distinctiveness theory, inclusive leadership inspires employees, builds trust, and nurtures a thriving work environment, driving innovation.