STRUGGLING TO MEET THE BAR: OCCUPATIONAL PROGRESS FAILURE AND INFORMAL LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Schaubroeck, John; Peng, Ann C.; Hannah, Sean T.; Ma, Jingjing; Cianci, Anna M.
• 署名单位: University of Missouri System; University of Missouri Columbia; University of Missouri System; University of Missouri Columbia; Wake Forest University; Hong Kong University of Science & Technology; Wake Forest University
• 刊物名称: ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0001-4273
• DOI: 10.5465/amj.2018.0956
• 发表日期: 2021
• 页码: 1740-1762
• 关键词: PERSEVERATIVE COGNITION; self-regulation; UNITED-STATES; performance; RUMINATION; IDENTITY; success; facets; stress; goals

摘要

We integrate theory and research about individuals' responses to failures and develop a model in which occupational progress failures precipitate ruminative processes that limit the extent to which individuals subsequently act as informal leaders. Our first study, an experiment with a sample of advanced accounting students, found that manipulating poor performance on a simulated certification test promoted ruminative thoughts about the test, which were negatively related to peer ratings of informal leadership behavior during a subsequent task. A separate field study using a regression discontinuity design in a 14-week military training program found that failure to pass the required physical fitness examination early in group formation influenced psychosomatic symptoms-an indirect measure of sustained rumination-and consequently hindered enactment of informal leadership behavior. We also theorized and found that neuroticism enhanced the positive effect of failure on rumination in Study 1 and psychosomatic symptoms in Study 2. We discuss the implications for developing theories concerning how disruptive personal events may interfere with employees' engaging in informal leadership behavior.