When Shared Goals and Emotional Awareness Curb Misconduct at Work

What is it about?

This study explores how goal congruence—the degree to which employees and their supervisors share similar objectives—affects organizational deviance, meaning behaviors that go against workplace norms or harm the organization. Drawing on theories of person–organization fit, work engagement, and emotional intelligence, the research examines how work engagement explains this connection and how emotional intelligence strengthens these effects. Using data from employees of four IT firms in Ukraine, the study shows that goal congruence reduces organizational deviance mainly by increasing work engagement—when employees feel connected and energized, they are less likely to act counterproductively. Emotional intelligence strengthens this process by enhancing the positive link between goal congruence and engagement and reinforcing the negative link between engagement and deviance, helping employees turn shared goals into constructive behavior. For organizations, the results emphasize the value of promoting goal alignment between supervisors and employees and cultivating emotional awareness across teams. Training programs that develop emotional intelligence skills—such as empathy, self-regulation, and social awareness—can help employees respond positively to shared goals and maintain engagement. These efforts are particularly useful in technology-oriented settings, where collaboration and trust are essential for minimizing conflict and enhancing ethical behavior.

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Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash

Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study contributes to research on workplace ethics and engagement by identifying work engagement as the mechanism through which goal congruence reduces deviant behaviors, and by demonstrating that emotional intelligence strengthens this indirect relationship. It highlights how emotional and relational capabilities enable employees to channel shared goals into positive organizational conduct. Its timeliness lies in its relevance for contemporary workplaces, including those in Ukraine, where rapid organizational change places a premium on emotionally intelligent leadership and aligned teamwork. By showing how shared purpose and emotional skill combine to foster engagement and integrity, the study offers actionable insights for leaders aiming to build healthier, more responsible organizational cultures.