The Bright, Dark, and Gray Sides of Risk Takers at Work: Criterion Validity of Risk Propensity for Contextual Work Performance

Although risk takers are traditionally seen as liabilities, a growing body of research suggests that risk takers may be critical for organizational achievements because of their courage and willingness to take risks for the benefit of others. Despite the prevalence of risk taking in studies of strategic management and organizational behavior, we know very little about the implication of risk propensity on employee work performance. In this paper, we conceptualize contextual performance—behaviors that fall outside of normal job expectations—as a form of workplace risk taking. Results from a three-wave study of working adults revealed that risk propensity positively predicted both counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) and pro-social rule-breaking behaviors (PSRBs) above the Big Five personality traits. We also found an indirect effect of risk propensity on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) and PSRBs via an increased willingness to take risks at work. Taking an item-level approach, we found that the predictive validity of risk propensity was greater for specific performance items that independent judges rated as riskier. Our findings suggest that risk takers are more likely to engage in pro-social and counterproductive behaviors—particularly those that are rule-breaking or have elevated risks—in part due to an increased willingness to take risks at work.