Codebook: Leadership Communication in Grassroots Political Organizations

This codebook provides a structured, theory-informed framework for the qualitative analysis of leadership communication in grassroots political organizations. Developed as part of a study on internal leadership dynamics within a volunteer-based political group in Germany, it identifies six conceptual clusters—Social Influence Strategies, Role and Power Communication, Emotion Regulation, Legitimacy Construction, Cohesion Strategies, and Collective Identity Appeals—supported by twelve analytically distinct subcodes. Each code entry includes definitions, application criteria, illustrative examples, and guidance for double-coding. The framework draws on established theories from leadership communication, social influence, emotional intelligence, group dynamics, and collective identity. While grounded in a specific organizational case, the codebook is intended for adaptation in broader research contexts involving voluntary, civic, or participatory organizations. Researchers are encouraged to tailor the framework to their empirical settings while maintaining conceptual integrity. The codebook may be used in conjunction with qualitative content analysis, discourse analysis, or interpretive methodologies.