Considerable research has revealed the positive effects of self-leadership on work-related outcomes, says Zoran M. Pavlovic, MD, a life science executive coach with Heruka Health Innovations, contributor to ACRP’s Clinical Researcher journal, and presenter of an November 30 ACRP Webinar on self-leadership’s role in winning strategies for fulfilling life and work.
For example, Pavlovic points out how a 22-year study of 308 organizations discovered that enhancing individual self-control is one of the most efficient techniques for raising staff productivity (Birdi et al., 2008). Also, he says, greater internal control has been linked explicitly to favorable internal states and beliefs such as reduced stress and anxiety (Saks and Ashforth, 1996) and increased self-efficacy (Latham and Frayne, 1989; Prussia et al., 1998). Self-leading employees are better adjusted and more confident, which increases the likelihood that they will be successful (Stajkovic and Luthans, 1998).
“Several expected outcomes assumed to be connected to implementing self-leadership tactics have been proposed in the literature,” Pavlovic notes. “These include workplace commitment, independence, creativity/innovation, trust, potency, positive affect, job satisfaction, psychological empowerment, and self-efficacy. These outcomes may serve as the mechanisms that lead to increased individual, group, and organizational performance.”
Self-leadership strategies can feed the development of self-esteem, Pavlovic adds. He notes how individuals who consider themselves successful have positive feelings and make favorable judgments about themselves (Ross, 2014). Further, when individuals feel successful, they feel good and have higher self-esteem (Rey, Extreme, and Pena, 2011).
Webinar—Self-Leadership: Winning Strategies for Fulfilling Work and Life (Part 2)
Join Pavlovic on November 30 when he shares how to use self-leadership strategies to survive and thrive in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world.
“Making a positive evaluation of oneself leads to an increase in self-esteem,” Pavlovic explains. “Hence, self-leadership behavior–focused strategies may lead to an increase in self-esteem. On the other hand, individuals might feel better and create more positive assessments of themselves by replacing non-functional assumptions and beliefs with more constructive ones using constructive thought self-leadership practices. In addition, constructive thought strategy involving imagining successful performance can serve the individual’s positive self-evaluations and help them to feel good.”
Finally, Pavlovic points out, researchers have concluded that developing one’s coping resources can contribute to life satisfaction. Feeling that one can control one’s life and actualize one’s plans can increase life satisfaction (Lewinsohn, Redner, and Seeley, 1991). People who make meaningful objectives for themselves have greater effectiveness and happier and more meaningful lives (McGregor and Little, 1998).
“Self-leadership techniques help one cope with difficulties even if an action is challenging,” Pavlovic concludes. “My webinar will primarily focus on giving listeners the tools and techniques, including real-life examples, that they can use in their daily activities to significantly enhance their professional and private quality of life.”
Contributed by Zoran M. Pavlovic, MD, and edited by Gary Cramer
