Daily uncertainty may overshadow the role of perceived manager effectiveness on daily performance via experienced daily positive affect: A multilevel study

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we expand on the existing work on daily performance by focusing on (1) within-person fluctuation in perceived manager effectiveness in relation to daily positive affective experiences and daily performance and (2) between-person fluctuations in uncertainty as a relevant boundary condition of these relationships. Methods: Multilevel data from 101 managers (1,010 measurement occasions) were used to test the hypotheses. Results: The results showed that fluctuations in the perception of the manager’s effectiveness related positively to daily positive affective experiences, and this relationship was moderated by the team member’s uncertainty levels, in such a way that perceived uncertainty buffered the positive effect of leadership effectiveness on positive affective experiences. Further, the findings evidenced a positive association between daily positive affective experiences and daily performance. Finally, results showed a significant indirect effect from perceived manager’s effectiveness to daily fluctuations in performance via daily fluctuations in positive affective experiences. Conclusions: perceived manager’s effectiveness made employees feel more positive affective experiences, which contributed to their daily performance. However, uncertainty overshadows the influence of the manager’s effectiveness on their worker’s positive affective experiences. We discuss implications for theory and practice.