Awe Enhances Racial Diversity In Professional Networks

Authors:

Abstract: Fostering inclusivity and network diversity are paramount goals for organizations; however, finding empirically backed strategies for doing so has been challenging. In the present research, we suggest that awe—an emotion characterized by perceived vastness and mental accommodation—increases the likelihood of establishing more diverse professional networks. We test this prediction in two studies. In Study 1, we find that leaders’ expression of awe is associated with the formation of more racially diverse corporate boards, b = 0.22, p < .001. In Study 2, we find that business professionals’ tendency to experience awe predicts the formation of professional networks higher in racial diversity (β = 0.10, p = .012). Together, these studies advance our understanding of emotions and inclusion.

Track: DEI

Keywords: awe, diversity, networks, emotions