1169: Fostering Connection, Managing Tension: Navigating Difficult Conversations in Organizations (17138)

Organizer(s)

• DC

  Daniel Chiacchia

  U. of Toronto, Rotman School of Management, Canada

Participant(s)

• NK

  Nadav Klein

  INSEAD, France

Presenter(s)

• MY

  Michael Yeomans

  Imperial College Business School

Participant(s)

• AB

  Alison Brooks

  Harvard U., United States
• DH

  David Hagmann

  -, Hong Kong

Presenter(s)

• ZC

  Zaidan Chen

  Hong Kong U. of Science and Technology, Hong Kong

Organizer(s)

• RR

  Rachel Ruttan

  U. of Toronto, Canada

Discussant(s)

• KD

  Kyle Dobson

  U. of Virginia, United States

Participant(s)

• KD

  Katherine DeCelles

  U. of Toronto, Canada
• SJ

  Sora Jun

  Rice U., United States

Presenter(s)

• LW

  Laura Wallace

  U. of Chicago Booth School of business

Participant(s)

• YK

  Yena Kim

  U. of Chicago Booth School of business
• EL

  Emma Levine

  U. Of Chicago, United States

Presenter(s)

• CB

  Christina Bradley

  U. of Michigan, Ross School of Business, United States

Despite the extant research highlighting the benefits of having difficult conversations, its inherent complexity – particularly due to the interdependent, multimodal, and highly contextualized nature of conversation – has impeded its empirical advancement and theoretical integration. Furthermore, previous research has assumed that having, or being able to have, difficult conversations is invariably beneficial for individuals, teams, and organizations. However, exactly how these conversations unfold and lead to positive outcomes remain a mystery. In this symposium, five presentations will explore why and how particular conversational elements within difficult contexts, such as grief, distrust, conflict, diverging goals, and advice giving and seeking, may lead to better or worse outcomes for individuals in organizational settings. In total, the symposium offers empirical and theoretical insights into the burgeoning science of conversation research, as well as practical solutions for managers, leaders, and employees who wish to create spaces where people are heard and feel connected to others.

Presentations:

• 08:00 – 09:30 CT (GMT-5/UTC-5)

  1169: Expressions of Sympathy are Less Effective When They Focus on the Positive (17138)
  

  Author: Daniel Chiacchia – U. of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

  Author: Rachel Lise Ruttan – U. of Toronto

  Author: Katherine Ann DeCelles – U. of Toronto

  Author: Sora Jun – Rice U.
• 08:00 – 09:30 CT (GMT-5/UTC-5)

  1169: Communicating Under Distrust (17138)
  

  Author: Laura Wallace – U. of Chicago Booth School of business

  Author: Yena Kim – U. of Chicago Booth School of business

  Author: Emma Levine – U. Of Chicago
• 08:00 – 09:30 CT (GMT-5/UTC-5)

  1169: The Social Effects of Discrete Emotions on Curiosity Elicited During Conflict (17138)
  

  Author: Christina Bradley – U. of Michigan, Ross School of Business

  Author: Nadav Klein – INSEAD
• 08:00 – 09:30 CT (GMT-5/UTC-5)

  1169: Boomerasking: Answering Your Own Questions (17138)
  

  Author: Alison Wood Brooks – Harvard U.

  Author: Michael Yeomans – Imperial College Business School
• 08:00 – 09:30 CT (GMT-5/UTC-5)

  1169: Flattering Advice: Avoiding Disappointment as a Driver of Gender Discrimination (17138)
  

  Author: Zaidan Chen – Hong Kong U. of Science and Technology

  Author: David Hagmann – -