Humanizing people who work for you: positive affect mediates the relationship between ‘diuwongke’ and work engagement

While global leadership research thrives, studies integrating cultural leadership perspectives into organizational psychology remain scarce. The current study investigates the mediating effect of positive affect on the relationship between ‘diuwongke’ (a phrase used locally in Indonesia that refers to a feeling of being respected and seen as ‘a human being’ by one’s superior) and work engagement. Data were collected from 368 employees of a private palm oil plantation company in Indonesia. Structural equation analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Results indicate a positive correlation among ‘diuwongke’, positive affect, and work engagement. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the relationship between ‘diuwongke’ and work engagement was mediated by positive affect. These findings underscore the importance of increasing work engagement in organizations by considering cultural factors—specifically through fostering positive emotions, particularly those stimulated by humane and dignity-preserving leadership practices (‘diuwongke’). These findings offer valuable insights for scholars studying culture-based leadership and work engagement, and provide practical insights for organizations seeking to build respectful, engaging work environments, especially in high power distance countries such as Indonesia. By embedding ‘diuwongke’ into organizational practices, Indonesian workplaces can soften the rigid effects of power distance, cultivating a culture of mutual respect and well-being.