Although the element which defines the type of leadership is the collaborator's motivation in the relationship, the behavior of the leader is a critical element in relational leadership, as it can significantly affect the motivations that bring the collaborator to start and maintain that relationship with the leader.For example, an economic partnership may
result from the fact that the collaborator is only interested in an economic exchange, but it may also result from the fact that the leader is only offering the possibility of an economic interaction.