Stories of workplace resilience inspire some people, but can leave others feeling anxious or overwhelmed, according to a new study co-authored by an Ole Miss management professor. The paper, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, concludes that managers must know their employees well to apply the best motivational techniques. Credit: Clara Turnage/University Marketing and Communications
From underdog stories to comeback victories, everyone loves a tale of perseverance. But a new study suggests that highlighting workplace resilience can sometimes leave observers feeling anxious instead of inspired.
Brady Shanklin, University of Mississippi assistant professor of management, and Tyler Sabey, Arizona State University assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship, published their research on the unexpected downside of resilience in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
"Organizations do a lot of broadcasting and highlighting stories of resilience, but we don't really understand the social dynamics of resilience," Shanklin said. "We know these stories can sometimes inspire employees and that can lead to positive outcomes in terms of performance and well-being. That, in turn, is good for the organization itself.
