Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article
Original Article

Employee Strengths Use and Thriving at Work

The Roles of Self-Efficacy and Perceived Humble Leadership

Published Online:November 04, 2020https://doi.org/10.1027/1866-5888/a000262

Abstract

Abstract. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of employee strengths use with thriving at work by proposing a moderated mediation model. Data were collected at two time points, spaced by a 2-week interval. A total of 260 medical staff completed strengths use, perceived humble leadership, self-efficacy, and thriving scales. The results of path analysis showed that strengths use is positively related to thriving, and self-efficacy mediates the relationship of strengths use with thriving. In addition, this study also found perceived humble leadership to positively moderate the direct relationship of strengths use with self-efficacy and the indirect relationship of strengths use with thriving via self-efficacy. This study contributes to a better understanding of how and when strengths use affects thriving.

References

  • Ali, M., Zhang, L., Shah, S. J., Khan, S., & Shah, A. M. (2020). Impact of humble leadership on project success: The mediating role of psychological empowerment and innovative work behavior. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 41(3), 349–367. 10.1108/LODJ-05-2019-0230 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Bakker, A. B., & van Woerkom, M. (2018). Strengths use in organizations: A positive approach of occupational health. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 59(1), 38–46. 10.1037/cap0000120 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. Freeman. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Bartz, D. E. (2018). Managers effectively applying strengths management and emotional intelligence. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 8(10), 1–5. 10.30845/ijhss.v8n10p1 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Bohn, J. G. (2002). The relationship of perceived leadership behaviors to organizational efficacy. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 9(2), 65–79. 10.1177/107179190200900206 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Brislin, R. W. (1976). Comparative research methodology: Cross-cultural studies. International Journal of Psychology, 11(3), 215–229. 10.1080/00207597608247359 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Carmeli, A., & Spreitzer, G. M. (2009). Trust, connectivity, and thriving: Implications for innovative behaviors at work. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 43(3), 169–191. 10.1002/j.2162-6057.2009.tb01313.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Chen, Y., Liu, B., Zhang, L., & Qian, S. (2018). Can leader “humility” spark employee “proactivity”? The mediating role of psychological empowerment. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 39(3), 326–339. 10.1108/LODJ-10-2017-0307 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Ding, H., & Lin, X. (2020). Exploring the relationship between core self-evaluation and strengths use: The perspective of emotion. Personality and Individual Differences, 157, 109804. 10.1016/j.paid.2019.109804 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Ding, H., Yu, E., Chu, X., Li, Y., & Amin, K. (2020). Humble leadership affects organizational citizenship behavior: The sequential mediating effect of strengths use and job crafting. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 65. 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00065 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Duan, W., Bu, H., Zhao, J., & Guo, X. (2019). Examining the mediating roles of strengths knowledge and strengths use in a 1-year single-session character strength-based cognitive intervention. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(6), 1673–1688. 10.1007/s10902-018-0014-z First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Galloway, R., Reynolds, B., & Williamson, J. (2020). Strengths-based teaching and learning approaches for children: Perceptions and practices. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 1(4), 31–45. 10.33902/JPR.2020058178 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Govindji, R., & Linley, P. A. (2007). Strengths use, self-concordance and well-being: Implications for strengths coaching and coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 2, 143–153. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hair, J. F., Ralph, E., & Tatham, R. (1987). Multivariate data analysis with readings. Macmillan Publishing Company. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Halbesleben, J. R. B., Neveu, J.-P., Paustian-Underdahl, S. C., & Westman, M. (2014). Getting to the “COR”. Journal of Management, 40(5), 1334–1364. 10.1177/0149206314527130 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hentrich, S., Zimber, A., Sosnowsky-Waschek, N., Gregersen, S., & Petermann, F. (2017). The role of core self-evaluations in explaining depression and work engagement among managers. Current Psychology, 36(3), 516–529. 10.1007/s12144-016-9439-x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hobfoll, S. E. (2001). The influence of culture, community, and the nested‐self in the stress process: Advancing conservation of resources theory. Applied Psychology, 50(3), 337–421. 10.1111/1464-0597.00062 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hu, Q., Schaufeli, W. B., & Taris, T. W. (2011). The Job Demands-Resources model: An analysis of additive and joint effects of demands and resources. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79(1), 181–190. 10.1016/j.jvb.2010.12.009 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Huber, A., Webb, D., & Höfer, S. (2017). The German version of the strengths use scale: The relation of using individual strengths and well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 637. 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00637 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Kong, D. T., & Ho, V. T. (2016). A self-determination perspective of strengths use at work: Examining its determinant and performance implications. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(1), 15–25. 10.1080/17439760.2015.1004555 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Li, M., Zhang, P., Xia, Y., & Liu, W. (2019). Shaping the shared mental model: How leader humility helps teams to learn. Journal of Management & Organization, 25(5), 653–671. 10.1017/jmo.2017.21 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Littman-Ovadia, H., Lavy, S., & Boiman-Meshita, M. (2017). When theory and research collide: Examining correlates of signature strengths use at work. Journal of Happiness Studies, 18(2), 527–548. 10.1007/s10902-016-9739-8 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Liu, W., Mao, J., & Chen, X. (2017). Leader humility and team innovation: Investigating the substituting role of task interdependence and the mediating role of team voice climate. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1115. 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01115 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Mahomed, F. E., & Rothmann, S. (2019a). Strengths use, deficit correction, thriving and performance of academics at universities of technology. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 45, a1577. 10.4102/sajip.v45i0.1577 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Mahomed, F. E., & Rothmann, S. (2019b). Strength use, training and development, thriving, and intention to leave: The mediating effects of psychological need satisfaction. South African Journal of Psychology, 50(1), 24–38. 10.1177/0081246319849030 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Mao, J., Chiu, C.-Y., Owens, B. P., Brown, J. A., & Liao, J. (2019). Growing followers: Exploring the effects of leader humility on follower self‐expansion, self‐efficacy, and performance. Journal of Management Studies, 56(2), 343–371. 10.1111/joms.12395 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Niessen, C., Sonnentag, S., & Sach, F. (2012). Thriving at work – A diary study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 33(4), 468–487. 10.1002/job.763 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Owens, B. P., & Hekman, D. R. (2012). Modeling how to grow: An inductive examination of humble leader behaviors, contingencies, and outcomes. Academy of Management Journal, 55(4), 787–818. 10.5465/amj.2010.0441 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Owens, B. P., Johnson, M. D., & Mitchell, T. R. (2013). Expressed humility in organizations: Implications for performance, teams, and leadership. Organization Science, 24(5), 1517–1538. 10.1287/orsc.1120.0795 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Paterson, T. A., Luthans, F., & Jeung, W. (2014). Thriving at work: Impact of psychological capital and supervisor support. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 35(3), 434–446. 10.1002/job.1907 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Peng, Y., & Mao, C. (2015). The impact of person–job fit on job satisfaction: The mediator role of self efficacy. Social Indicators Research, 121(3), 805–813. 10.1007/s11205-014-0659-x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Podsakoff, P. M., Mackenzie, S. B., Lee, J.-Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 979–903. 10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Porath, C., Spreitzer, G., Gibson, C., & Garnett, F. G. (2012). Thriving at work: Toward its measurement, construct validation, and theoretical refinement. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 33(2), 250–275. 10.1002/job.756 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Prem, R., Ohly, S., Kubicek, B., & Korunka, C. (2017). Thriving on challenge stressors? Exploring time pressure and learning demands as antecedents of thriving at work. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 38(1), 108–123. 10.1002/job.2115 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2008). Strengths-based leadership: Great leaders, great teams, and why people follow. Gallup Press. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Roberts, L. M., Dutton, J. E., Spreitzer, G. M., Heaphy, E. D., & Quinn, R. E. (2005). Composing the reflected best-self portrait: Building pathways for becoming extraordinary in work organizations. Academy of Management Review, 30(4), 712–736. 10.5465/amr.2005.18378874 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Russo, M., Buonocore, F., Carmeli, A., & Guo, L. (2018). When family supportive supervisors meet employees' need for caring: Implications for work–family enrichment and thriving. Journal of Management, 44(4), 1678–1702. 10.1177/0149206315618013 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Ryan, R. (2006). Soaring on your strengths: discover, use, and brand your best self for career success. Penguin. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, M. (1995). Generalized self-efficacy scale. In J. WeinmanS. WrightM. Johnston (Eds.), Measures in health psychology: A user’s portfolio (pp. 35–37). NFER-NELSON. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Simbula, S., Guglielmi, D., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2011). A three-wave study of job resources, self-efficacy, and work engagement among Italian schoolteachers. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 20(3), 285–304. 10.1080/13594320903513916 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Spreitzer, G. M., & Sutcliffe, K. (2007). Thriving in organizations. In D. NelsonC. Cooper (Eds.), Positive Organizational Behavior (pp. 74–85). Sage. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Spreitzer, G., Sutcliffe, K., Dutton, J., Sonenshein, S., & Grant, A. M. (2005). A socially embedded model of thriving at work. Organization Science, 16(5), 537–549. 10.1287/orsc.1050.0153 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Van Woerkom, M., Mostert, K., Els, C., Bakker, A. B., de Beer, L., & Rothmann, S., Jr. (2016). Strengths use and deficit correction in organizations: Development and validation of a questionnaire. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 25(6), 960–975. 10.1080/1359432X.2016.1193010 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Van Woerkom, M., Oerlemans, W., & Bakker, A. B. (2016). Strengths use and work engagement: A weekly diary study. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 25(3), 384–397. 10.1080/1359432X.2015.1089862 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Kashdan, T. B., & Hurling, R. (2011). Using personal and psychological strengths leads to increases in well-being over time: A longitudinal study and the development of the strengths use questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(1), 15–19. 10.1016/j.paid.2010.08.004 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Yuan, L., Zhang, L., & Tu, Y. (2018). When a leader is seen as too humble. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 39(4), 468–481. 10.1108/LODJ-03-2017-0056 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zhang, Y., & Chen, M. (2018). Character strengths, strengths use, future self-continuity and subjective well-being among Chinese university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1040. 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01040 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zhao, X., Lynch, J. G., Jr., & Chen, Q. (2010). Reconsidering Baron and Kenny: Myths and truths about mediation analysis. Journal of Consumer Research, 37(2), 197–206. 10.1086/651257 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zheng, Y., Wu, C.-H., & Graham, L. (2020). Work-to-non-work spillover: The impact of public service motivation and meaningfulness on outcomes in work and personal life domains. Public Management Review, 22(4), 578–601. 10.1080/14719037.2019.1601242 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zhou, F., & Wu, Y. J. (2018). How humble leadership fosters employee innovation behavior. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 39(3), 375–387. 10.1108/LODJ-07-2017-0181 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zhu, X., Law, K. S., Sun, C. T., & Yang, D. (2019). Thriving of employees with disabilities: The roles of job self-efficacy, inclusion, and team-learning climate. Human Resource Management, 58(1), 21–34. 10.1002/hrm.21920 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar