LAUSR

PurposeThrough the lens of affective events theory, this study sought to investigate the associations of individual-focused transformational leadership, namely individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation, with employee strengths use (ESU) and the mediating role of positive affect and the moderating role of core self-evaluation (CSE) in these associations.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected data by a three-wave research design. Hypotheses were examined with a sample of 178 employees working in various organizations in China.FindingsThe results revealed that both individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation have positive relationships with ESU and positive affect partially mediates these two relationships. Contrary to our hypotheses, CSE negatively moderated the relationship of intellectual stimulation with positive affect and the mediational effect of positive affect on the relationship between intellectual stimulation and ESU. However, CSE did not moderate the relationships between individualized consideration, positive affect and ESU.Originality/valueThis study was the first to empirically examine the relationships of individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation with ESU and the mediating effect of positive affect and the moderating effect of CSE on these relationships.