Self‐compassion at work: A self‐regulation perspective on its beneficial effects for work performance and wellbeing

Abstract

AbstractThe work environment is fraught with complex demands, hardships, and challenges, highlighting the need to approach work with self‐compassion each day. We propose that work self‐compassion—a mindset of kindness, gentleness, and care toward oneself as an employee—may generate the resources and motivation needed for self‐regulation at work. Drawing from integrated self‐control theory (ISCT) and theory on self‐compassion, we suggest that on days when employees hold a work self‐compassionate mindset, they will exhibit greater work performance and wellbeing via enhanced resource capacity and motivation. In an experimental experience sampling study, we found that a work self‐compassionate mindset reduced depletion and increased work self‐esteem and thereby heightened daily work engagement and daily resilience. Consequently, employees made greater goal progress at work and experienced higher meaning in life. In a supplemental study, we show that state self‐compassion at work is associated with unique variance in work outcomes beyond compassion received from coworkers. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for self‐compassion in organizational contexts.