Work calling and humility: framing for job idolization, workaholism, and exploitation

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore how work communication can lead to a sense of calling that engenders negative outcomes (i.e., job idolization, workaholism, and exploitation), as well how the virtue of humility may buffer these effects. First, we seek to clarify interdisciplinary work highlighting the role communication plays in the development of the dark side of a calling. Second, we consider the complexity of humility as an organizational value. Third, we suggest humility functions as a mitigating frame against job idolization, workaholism, and exploitation for those who perceive of their work as a calling and for those with whom they work (as leaders, followers, or peers). We propose that at the heart of a healthy work calling is a robust integration of humility, and conclude by outlining promising directions to better understand the discursive implications of humility and work calling outcomes.