Abstract
Although reflection is believed to play a key role in promoting learning and performance, few studies have examined its effects on success and failure on well-being and positive behavioral outcomes. Thus, this study aims to explore the influence of reflection on success and failure on proactive behavior mediated through work authenticity, using a two-wave survey of employees from a municipal office in Japan (n = 219). The results of structural equation modeling indicated that reflection on success directly and indirectly enhanced proactive behavior through work authenticity, while reflection on failure had no significant influence on both work authenticity and proactive behavior. This study thus contributes to research on reflection and positive psychology by identifying the role of reflection on success in promoting employees’ well-being and positive behavioral outcomes.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Aguinis, H., Gotfredson, R. K., & Joo, H. (2012). Delivering effective performance feedback: The strengths-based approach. Business Horizons, 55, 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2011.10.004.
Austin, D. B. (2006). Building on a foundation of strengths. Educational Horizons, 84(3), 176–182.
Bagozzi, R. P., & Yi, Y. (1988). On the evaluation of structural equation models. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 16(1), 74–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02723327.
Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2014). Job demands - resources theory. In P. Y. Chen & C. L. Cooper (Eds.), Work and wellbeing: Wellbeing: A complete reference guide, Volume III (pp. 37–64). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118539415.wbwell019.
Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2017). Job demands-resources theory: Taking stock and looking forward. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 22(3), 273–285. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000056.
Bouskila-Yam, O., & Kluger, A. N. (2011). Strength-based performance appraisal and goal setting. Human Resource Management Review, 21, 137–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2010.09.001.
De Freitas, J., Sarkissian, H., Newman, G. E., Grossmann, I., De Brigard, F., Luco, A., & Knobe, J. (2018). Consistent belief in a good true self in misanthropes and three interdependent cultures. Cognitive Science, 42, 134–160. https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.12505.
Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087.
Edmondson, A. C. (2004). Learning from mistakes is easier said than done: Group and organizational influences on the detection and correction of human error. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 40(1), 66–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886304263849.
Emmerich, A. I., & Rigotti, T. (2017). Reciprocal relations between work-related authenticity and intrinsic motivation, work ability and depressivity: A two-wave study. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00307.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Positive emotions broaden and build. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 47, 1–53.
Fritz, C., & Sonnentag, S. (2006). Recovery, well-being, and performance-related outcomes: The role of workload and vacation experiences. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(4), 936–945. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.91.4.936.
Fuller, B., Marler, L. E., Hester, K., & Otondo, R. F. (2015). Leader reactions to follower proactive behavior: Giving credit when credit is due. Human Relations, 68(6), 879–898. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726714548235.
Grant, A. M., & Ashford, S. J. (2008). The dynamics of proactivity at work. Research in Organizational Behavior, 28, 3–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2008.04.002.
Grant, A. M., Parker, S., & Collins, C. (2009). Getting credit for proactive behavior: Supervisor reactions depend on what you value and how you feel. Personnel Psychology, 62, 31–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2008.01128.x.
Gray, D. E. (2007). Facilitating management learning developing critical reflection through reflective tools. Management Learning, 38(5), 495–517.
Griffin, M. A., Neal, A., & Parker, S. K. (2007). A new model of work role performance: Positive behavior in uncertain and interdependent context. Academy of Management Journal, 50(2), 327–347. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2007.24634438.
Guo, Y., Lam, L., Plummer, V., Cross, W., & Zhang, J. (2019). A WeChat-based “Three Good Things” positive psychotherapy for the improvement of job performance and self-efficacy in nurses with burnout symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nursing Management, 28, 480–487. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12927.
Harter, S. (2002). Authenticity. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 382–394). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hatton, N., & Smith, D. (1995). Reflection in teacher education: Towards definition and implementation. Teaching & Teacher Education, 11(1), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/0742-051X(94)00012-U.
Hiemstra, D., & Van Yperen, N. W. (2015). The effects of strength-based versus deficit-based self-regulated learning strategies on students’ effort intentions. Motivation and Emotion, 39(5), 656–668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-015-9488-8.
Hu, C., Kumar, S., Huang, J., & Ratnavelu, K. (2017). Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting. PLoS One, 12(4), e0175623. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175623.
Jawahar, I. M. (2010). The mediating role of appraisal feedback reactions on the relationship between rater feedback-related behaviors and ratee performance. Group & Organization Management, 35(4), 494–526. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601110378294.
Kember, D., Leung, D. Y. P., Jones, A., Loke, A. Y., Mckay, J., Singlair, K., Tse, H., Webb, C., Wong, F. K. Y., Wong, M., & Yeung, E. (2000). Development of a questionnaire to measure the level of reflective thinking. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 25(4), 381–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/713611442.
Kluger, A. N., & Nir, D. (2010). The feedforward interview. Human Resource Management Review, 20, 235–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2009.08.002.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Korthagen, F. A. J. (2005). The organization in balance reflection and intuition as complementary processes. Management Learning, 36(3), 371–387.
Lenton, A. P., Bruder, M., Slabu, L., & Sedikides, C. (2013). How does "being real" feel? The experience of state authenticity. Journal of Personality, 81(3), 276–289. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2012.00805.x.
Linley, P. A., Nielsen, K. M., Gillett, R., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). Using signature strengths in pursuit of goals: Effects on goal progress, need satisfaction, and well-being, and implications for coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 5(1), 6–15.
Luthans, F. (2002). The need for and meaning of positive organizational behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23(6), 695–706. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.165.
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.56.3.227.
Metin, U. B., Taris, T. W., Peeters, M. C. W., Van Beek, I., & Van den Bosch, R. (2016). Authenticity at work: A job-demands resources perspective. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 31(2), 483–499.
Mezirow, J. (1990). How critical reflection triggers transformative earning. In J. Mezirow (Ed.), Fostering critical reflection in adulthood: A guide to transformative and emancipatory learning (pp. 1–6). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Mongrain, M., & Anselmo-Matthews, T. (2012). Do positive psychology exercises work? A replication of Seligman et al. (2005). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68(4), 382–389. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21839.
Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Parker, S. K., & Collins, C. G. (2010). Taking stock: Integrating and differentiating multiple proactive behaviors. Journal of Management, 36(3), 633–662. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206308321554.
Parker, S. K., Wang, Y., & Liao, J. (2019). When is proactivity wise? A review of factors that influence the individual outcomes of proactive behavior. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 221–248. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-012218-015302.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J., & 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), 879–903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879.
Proctor, C., Maltby, J., & Linley, P. A. (2011). Strengths use as a predictor of well-being and health-related quality of life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 153–169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-009-9181-2.
Reason, J. (1990). Human error. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Reis, G., Trullen, J., & Story, J. (2016). Perceived organizational culture and engagement: The mediating role of authenticity. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 31(6), 1091–1105. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-05-2015-0178.
Reynolds, M. (1998). Reflection and critical reflection in management learning. Management Learning, 29(2), 183–200.
Schön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Sedikides, C., Slabu, L., Lenton, A., & Thomaes, S. (2017). State authenticity. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(6), 521–525. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721417713296.
Seibert, S. E., Kraimer, M. L., & Crant, J. M. (2001). What do proactive people do? A longitudinal model linking proactive personality and career success. Personnel Psychology, 54, 845–874. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2001.tb00234.x.
Seligman, M. E. P., Ernst, R. M., Gillham, J., Reivich, K., & Linkins, M. (2009). Positive education: Positive psychology and classroom interventions. Oxford Review of Education, 35(3), 293–311.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.
Sjöstrand, M., & Juth, N. (2014). Authenticity and psychiatric disorder: Does autonomy of personal preferences matter? Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 17, 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-013-9509-x.
Strauss, K., Parker, S. K., & O'Shea, D. (2017). When does proactivity have a cost? Motivation at work moderates the effects of proactive work behavior on employee job strain. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 100, 15–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.02.001.
Svejenova, S. (2005). The path with the heart: Creating the authentic career. Journal of Management Studies, 42(5), 947–974. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2005.00528.x.
Tedeschi, J. T. (1986). Private and public experiences and the self. In R. F. Baumeister (Ed.), Public self and private self (pp. 1–17). New York: Springer-Verlag.
Thomas, J. P., Whitman, D. S., & Viswesvaran, C. (2010). Employee proactivity in organizations: A comparative meta-analysis of emergent proactive constructs. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 83, 275–300. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317910X502359.
Van den Bosch, R., & Taris, T. W. (2014). Authenticity at work: Development and validation of an individual authenticity measure at work. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15, 1–18.
Van Woerkom, M., Mostert, K., Els, C., Bakker, A. B., de Beer, L., & Rothmann, S. (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. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2016.1193010.
Vess, M., Schlegel, R. J., Hicks, J. A., & Arndt, J. (2014). Guilty, but not ashamed: "True" self-conceptions influence affective responses to personal shortcomings. Journal of Personality, 82(3), 213–224. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12046.
Waterman, A. S. (2013). The humanistic psychology–positive psychology divide: Contrasts in philosophical foundations. American Psychologist, 68(3), 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032168.
Welch, D., Grossaint, K., Reid, K., & Walker, C. (2014). Strengths-based leadership development: Insights from expert coaches. Consulting Psychology Journal, 66(1), 20–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/cpb0000002.
West, M. A. (2000). Reflexivity, revolution and innovation in work teams. In M. M. Beyerlein, D. A. Johnson, & S. T. Beyerlein (Eds.), Product development teams (Vol. 5, pp. 1–29). Stamford CT: JAI Press.
Funding
This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant number 18 K01744).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
I have no conflict of interest.
Research involving human participants
All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards for research involving human participants.
Informed Consent
Informed consent was obtained from all participants for being included in this study.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The author declares that there are no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Appendix
Appendix
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Matsuo, M. Reflection on success in promoting authenticity and proactive behavior: A two-wave study. Curr Psychol 41, 8793–8801 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01352-z
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01352-z