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Facilitating Work Engagement and Performance Through Strengths-Based Micro-coaching: A Controlled Trial Study

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Abstract

In spite of the potential benefits that strengths-based coaching can bring to organizations, basic questions remain regarding its impact on work engagement and job performance specially among non-executive employees. In a controlled trial study, 60 employees from an automotive industry company participated in a strengths-based micro coaching program over a period of five weeks. The intervention followed a strengths-based coaching approach, grounded in the identification, development, and balanced use of personal strengths to foster positive outcomes. Mixed methods, using quantitative and qualitative measures, were taken. Both the participants and their supervisors completed pre, post, and follow-up questionnaires, and the results indicated that the intervention program was successful in increasing all the study variables after finishing the program. The results also showed the durability of the effects on the outcome variables over time (follow up). Qualitative data supported the study hypotheses. Through open questions inquiring about the outcomes of the program, the participants stated that it helped them to increase performance and well-being. Practical implications suggest that this program can be a valuable short-term applied positive psychology intervention to help employees increase their work engagement and performance and promote optimal functioning in organizations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Eduardo Guillamón (Manufacturing Engineering Manager at Ford Valencia Engine Plant), Pascual Chanzá Canut (Employee Suggestions Program Coordinator at Ford Valencia Engine Plant) and WANT Research Team members, for their useful cooperation during the implementation of the intervention program. Funding was provided by Universitat Jaume I (Grant No. #B/2017/81) and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Grant No. #PSI2015-64933-R).

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  1. Department of Psychology, WANT Research Team, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain

    María Josefina Peláez, Cristián Coo & Marisa Salanova

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  1. María Josefina Peláez
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  2. Cristián Coo
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  3. Marisa Salanova
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Correspondence to María Josefina Peláez.

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Peláez, M.J., Coo, C. & Salanova, M. Facilitating Work Engagement and Performance Through Strengths-Based Micro-coaching: A Controlled Trial Study. J Happiness Stud 21, 1265–1284 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00127-5

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