PhD defence J. (Jixin) Wang

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

This thesis included four studies that explored how strengths-based leadership contributes to employees’ well-being and performance using time-lagged multi-source design and a weekly diary design. I found that strengths-based leadership helps employees to use strengths and stay engaged, thus performing well at work. In contrast, deficits-based leadership helps employees to correct their deficits but is not functional in improving performance. Strengths-based leadership buffers the negative impact of hindrance stressors on employees’ sense of meaning through sense of accomplishment. Moreover, when strengths-based leaders have a high-quality relationship with their employees, employees respond with more work engagement and performance at work. When leaders take employees’ personal needs and feelings into consideration, deficits-based leadership is effective in enhancing employees’ deficit correction and strengths use behaviors.