EMPOWERING MINDS, ELEVATING WORK: THE CATALYTIC ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT IN LINKING LEADERSHIP INCLUSION TO EXTRA-ROLE PERFORMANCE

Abstract In today’s dynamic organisational landscape, leadership practices that embrace inclusivity are critical to nurturing proactive and committed employees. This study investigates how psychologically empowering leadership environments serve as a bridge between inclusive leadership and employee’s willingness to engage in extra-role behaviours, specifically Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB). The research conceptualises psychological empowerment: not merely as an outcome of leadership influence, but as a transformative psychological mechanism through which inclusive leadership translates into heightened discretionary contributions by employees. Results of the study establishes that inclusive leadership: characterised by openness, accessibility, and active appreciation of diverse perspectives, fosters a deeper sense of purpose, autonomy self-efficacy and perceived impact among employees. These dimensions of psychological empowerment significantly stimulate OCB, manifested in voluntary actions that go beyond formal job requirements to support colleagues and organisational goals. Furthermore, psychological empowerment emerges as a mediator in the inclusive leadership-OCB relationship signifying its pivotal role in unlocking employee potential for value-added behaviours. The findings offer practical implications for organisational leadership and HR practitioners by highlighting the strategic importance of cultivating inclusive practices that do more that acknowledge diversity, than empower it. By embedding empowerment-oriented processes into leadership development, organisations can strengthen citizenship behaviours that are crucial for innovation, collaboration and sustained organisational performance. This study contributes to leadership and behavioural science literature by articulating psychological empowerment as a crucial element for converting inclusive leadership intent into measure able workplace contributions. Keywords: Inclusive Leadership, Organisational Citizenship Behaviour, Psychological Empowerment, IT Sector, India.