Being Oneself and Doing Great
Abstract. The experience of authenticity is conducive to job performance. However, research has not examined the underlying mechanism. Additionally, knowledge about the antecedents of authenticity is limited, and research findings regarding the relationship between authenticity and work outcomes are exclusively at the between-person level. To advance the research on authenticity at work, the current study investigated the motivation process through which authenticity influences job performance and examined the role of supportive leadership in facilitating authenticity. We tested the hypotheses at both the between-person and within-person levels and found convergent results. Autonomous motivation mediated the positive relationship between authenticity and task performance/work proactivity, and supportive leadership was found to positively predict authenticity. Theoretical implications and managerial suggestions are discussed.