![]() On the one hand, experiencing positive emotions has been found to foster favorable outcomes in general (e.g., Lyubomirsky et al., 2005) and in the organizational context (for a review, see Ashkanasy, 2003), and to promote proactive goal pursuit in individuals (Bindl et al., 2012). ![]() If an employe pursues a specific goal in an encounter with his or her superior, will the expression of emotions make a difference for goal attainment? Specifically, will expressing positive emotions help goal attainment in this situation? If the employe feels slightly positive, is amplifying the expression of these feelings useful for reaching the goal? Would such a strategy also work in interactions with colleagues? In this paper, we investigate whether (a) the expression and (b) the amplification of positive emotion influence goal attainment in interactions with colleagues and superiors at work.Īs will be reviewed in more detail below, research on emotions suggests that emotions and emotion regulation are related to interpersonal consequences in general (e.g., Gross and John, 2003) and to reaching goals specifically (e.g., Scherer et al., 2001) this applies also in the organizational context (e.g., Barsade and Gibson, 2007). Results are discussed with regard to the importance of hierarchy for detecting, and interpreting, signs of strategic display of positive emotions. However, amplifying felt positive emotions promoted goal attainment only in interactions with superiors, but not with colleagues. Multilevel analyses, including polynomial analyses, show that authentic display of positive emotions supported goal attainment throughout. Analyses are based on 494 interactions involving the pursuit of a goal by 113 employes. We postulated that expressing, and amplifying, positive emotions would foster goal attainment in social interactions at work, particularly when dealing with superiors. When experiencing positive emotions, however, expressing them authentically promises benefits, and the advantage of amplifying them is not so obvious. This risk may well be worth taking when the emotions felt are negative, as expressing negative emotions usually has negative effects. However, expressing emotions one does not feel entails the risk of being perceived as inauthentic. Such effects have been found in research on social contagion, impression management, and emotion work. Expressing positive emotions could be a strategic tool for improving goal attainment during social interactions at work. Expressing emotions has social functions it provides information, affects social interactions, and shapes relationships with others.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |