Employees See Bias in the Workplace. Their Bosses Don’t.
People in positions of power are often unable to see inequities in their own organizations—even if they see it elsewhere.
Researchers: Christopher To, Dylan Wiwad and Maryam Kouchaki
August 1, 2024
How the Inequality Around Us Shapes Our Perceptions of Morality
Lie, cheat, steal … no big deal? When we feel like we’re not in control of our lives, it’s easier to accept unethical behavior.
Researchers: Christopher To, Dylan Wiwad and Maryam Kouchaki
May 1, 2024
Take 5: The Psychology of Charitable Giving
What makes us give? Research reveals the surprising factors that shape our generosity.
Researchers: Ike Silver, Maryam Kouchaki, Rima Touré-Tillery and and coauthors
November 22, 2023
Podcast: The Case for Admitting (Some) Flaws at Work
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Why showing vulnerability can actually be a boon for leaders.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki
August 28, 2023
A Company Has Donated on Your Behalf! What Will You Do Next?
A new study on the recent trend of “giving-by-proxy” offers good news for charitable organizations.
Researchers: Samantha Kassirer, Maryam Kouchaki and Jillian J. Jordan
July 1, 2023
Take 5: Research-Backed Tips for Scheduling Your Day
Kellogg faculty offer ideas for working smarter and not harder.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki, Maria Ibanez, Nicola Persico, Robert L. Bray, Jan A. Van Mieghem, Itai Gurvich and and coauthors
April 1, 2023
Leaders, Don’t Be Afraid to Admit Your Flaws
We prefer to work for people who can make themselves vulnerable, a new study finds. But there are limits.
Researchers: Li Jiang, Leslie John, Reihane Boghrati and Maryam Kouchaki
March 1, 2023
How Comments Like “Man Up” Can Lead to Misbehavior at Work
While the problem extends beyond the workplace, organizations would be wise to consider the consequences of using emasculating language.
Researchers: Keith Leavitt, Luke (Lei) Zhu, Anthony Klotz and Maryam Kouchaki
October 1, 2022
The Surprising Way Crowd Size Affects Our Tendency to Cheat
Organizations would be wise to understand the psychology behind this phenomenon.
Researchers: Celia Chui, Maryam Kouchaki and Francesca Gino
August 1, 2022
5 Research-Backed Strategies for Building an Ethical Culture at Work
An annual training session isn’t going to cut it.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki and Isaac Smith
January 5, 2022
When It Comes to Morally Dubious Behavior, Do Startups Get a Pass?
Transgressions, such as treating workers badly, resonate differently when it’s a startup versus an established company.
Researchers: Monica Gamez-Djokic, Maryam Kouchaki and Adam Waytz
November 2, 2021
Conservatives and Liberals Differ in How Aggressively They Recruit Women for Leadership Roles
But companies take note: a new study offers a simple intervention to curb gender bias early in the hiring process.
Researchers: Burak Oc, Ekaterina Netchaeva and Maryam Kouchaki
March 3, 2021
A Surprising Benefit of Feeling Ownership over Your Possessions
Owning things can boost our self-esteem. And that, in turn, can make us want to help others.
Researchers: Ata Jami, Maryam Kouchaki and Francesca Gino
January 4, 2021
Is Your Company’s Code of Conduct Encouraging … Misconduct?
Using words like “we” and “us” can signal to employees that they won’t be severely punished.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki, Francesca Gino and Yuval Feldman
March 2, 2020
Why You Should Skip the Easy Wins and Tackle the Hard Task First
New research shows that you and your organization lose out when you procrastinate on the difficult stuff.
Researchers: KC Diwas, Bradley Staats R. Staats, Maryam Kouchaki and Francesca Gino
November 4, 2019
Take 5: The Case for Being More Authentic at Work
When done thoughtfully, authenticity can make for more confident, ethical leaders. Here’s how to ensure you’re being your true self.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki, Suzanne Muchin, Brenda Ellington Booth, Brooke Vuckovic, Mohanbir S. Sawhney and Nicholas Pearce
October 2, 2019
Could Bringing Your "Whole Self" to Work Curb Unethical Behavior?
Organizations would be wise to help employees avoid compartmentalizing their personal and professional identities.
Researchers: Mahdi Ebrahimi, Maryam Kouchaki and Vanessa Patrick-Ralhan
June 3, 2019
Take 5: Cultivating Empathy in the Workplace
What to understand about this critical, but surprisingly complex, trait.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki, Nour Kteily, Loran Nordgren and Brooke Vuckovic
April 8, 2019
Are Women More Ethical at the Negotiating Table? It’s Complicated.
Plus, how women are judged differently when they break the rules.
Researchers: Jason R. Pierce, Leigh Thompson, Maryam Kouchaki, Laura J. Kray, Jessica Kennedy, Mary-Hunter "Mae" McDonnell and Nicole Stephens
December 6, 2018
Are You Willing to Stretch the Truth While Negotiating?
It may depend on your gender and whom you are representing.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki and Laura J. Kray
November 6, 2018
Why a Choice Doesn’t Feel Like a Choice When Morality Enters the Picture
A new study explains why heroes always say, “I just did what anybody would do.”
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki, Isaac Smith and Krishna Savani
August 2, 2018
Take 5: What Science Says about Your Summer Vacation
Kellogg faculty explore the psychology and economics of common travel conundrums.
Researchers: Achal Bassamboo, Kent Grayson, Thomas N. Hubbard, Maryam Kouchaki, Martin Lariviere and Derek D. Rucker
July 3, 2018
Why Bosses Cut Some Employees Slack for Unethical Behavior
The same transgression can lead to different consequences. Here’s one reason why.
Researchers: Yajun Zhang, Kai Chi Yam, Maryam Kouchaki and Junwei Zhang
May 1, 2018
What Makes Deceit Such a Hard Habit to Break?
New research gets at the psychology behind serial misconduct.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki, Kyle Dobson, Adam Waytz and Nour Kteily
April 2, 2018
Take 5: How to Adapt to Changes in Your Industry
In many businesses, change is the only constant. Are you prepared?
Researchers: Alvaro Sandroni, Maryam Kouchaki, Mark Achler, Thomas O'Toole and Dimitris Papanikolaou
November 10, 2017
Is It Too Hot to Help Out?
Why the thermostat may be the key to better customer service.
Researchers: Liuba Belkin and Maryam Kouchaki
October 2, 2017
Take 5: How to Empower Employees to Be More Creative
Creativity is a potent engine for business. Nurture it without letting office divas run the show.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki, Leigh Thompson, William Ocasio, Edward (Ned) Smith and Loran Nordgren
August 3, 2017
Take 5: How Leaders Can Stamp Out Bad Behavior and Create a Culture of Integrity
Practical tips to reign in an unethical boss and encourage employees to do the right thing.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki, Derek D. Rucker, J. Keith Murnighan, Paola Sapienza, Dylan Minor and Nicola Persico
March 6, 2017
When Companies Praise Good Behavior, They May Encourage the Exact Opposite
Why giving customers credit for altruistic purchases can backfire.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki and Ata Jami
October 10, 2016
We Remember Our Coworkers’ Misdeeds, but What about Our Own?
“Unethical amnesia” helps preserve our positive self-image.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki and Francesca Gino
August 1, 2016
How to Protect Yourself from an Unethical Boss
To ward off immoral requests, take a lesson from vampire lore.
Researchers: Sreedhari Desai and Maryam Kouchaki
February 1, 2016
Does Creativity Breed Entitlement?
Companies that put creative employees on a pedestal encourage bad behavior.
Researchers: Maryam Kouchaki and Lynne Vincent
November 2, 2015
Networking Is a Dirty Business
Seeking out professional connections leaves people feeling morally, and physically, dirty.
Researchers: Tiziana Casciaro, Francesca Gino and Maryam Kouchaki
October 6, 2014