Climate perceptions for underrepresented leaders: Influencing service employees' proactive behaviors through psychological safety and knowledge sharing

Much of the diversity research in hospitality and tourism has focused on employee representation and management practices, but little attention has been paid to the role of inclusion among diverse leaders. This study investigates how employees’ perceptions of an inclusive climate for leadership diversity ( PICLD ) impact their psychological safety, knowledge sharing, and proactive work behaviors. A sample of 182 hospitality and tourism employees was analyzed using PLS-SEM, revealing that PICLD positively influences psychological safety and knowledge sharing, which, in turn, impacts proactive work behaviors. The study provides both theoretical and practical implications, enriching literature on antecedents of proactive work behaviors and offering guidance for human resource management practices that support policies promoting an inclusive climate for diverse leaders. • This research utilized time-lagged data from hospitality and tourism employees in the USA. • Perceived inclusion climate for leadership diversity influences employees’ extra-role behaviors. • Perceived inclusion climate for leadership diversity has a positive correlation with psychological safety. • Perceived inclusion climate for leadership diversity positively influences extra-role behaviors through psychological safety.