ABSTRACT
Issues pertaining to the self are ubiquitous at work. Consider the case of Maggie, a senior manager at a large accounting firm who is hoping to be promoted to partner. Naturally, work implicates the executive function of the self. Prior research has highlighted the self’s relevance for self-regulation and motivation, including how different types of motivation and emotional reactions emerge when the self’s basic needs for autonomy, competence, and belongingness are satisfied or thwarted as well as work on self-enhancement and power. Although the promotion comes with a pay raise, Maggie especially desires the position because of the boost it would give her self-esteem and because of the greater power and autonomy that being partner affords. The reflexive consciousness function of the self refers to humans possessing the capacity for self-awareness. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
