Risks and Rewards of Communication Around Sensitive Personal Information

Abstract: This symposium examines the risks and rewards of engaging in conversations about sensitive topics across personal and professional contexts, offering insights into how such exchanges shape interpersonal dynamics, organizational outcomes, and social perceptions. The four papers presented here employ diverse methodologies to explore sensitive conversations in the workplace, criminal justice system, and cross-cultural interactions. The first two papers focus on workplace political conflict. Spelman et al. demonstrate that employees who feel like a political minority anticipate stigma and conceal their political identity, leading to lower job satisfaction and increased turnover. Barli et al. examines how specific conflict management strategies are deployed in the workplace and their effects on both intra and interpersonal outcomes. Third, Sun and Shih address cross-cultural dynamics of sensitive topics, examining East Asian immigrants’ hesitations about personal self-disclosure in the U.S. They find that while individuals in low relational mobility cultures often avoid sharing unfamiliar hobbies, such disclosures are just as positively received as familiar ones, significantly improving social perceptions compared to non-disclosure. Finally, Collins et al., investigate conversational tactics individuals use when discussing crimes they’ve committed. Through text analysis of parole hearing transcripts and experimental studies, they examine mechanisms underlying apology efficacy. Together, these papers illuminate the multifaceted consequences of sensitive conversations, shedding light on how individuals navigate complex social dynamics in diverse contexts, and offer practical implications for individuals, teams, and organizations aiming to foster trust, connection, and understanding. 

Keywords: Communication, Interpersonal Dynamics, Person Perception, Disclosure, Conflict Management