Saturday, May 30, 2015
We all negotiate in ways big and small — at work, in our communities, and even with family members. Some people relish negotiation, but for many others, the process stirs discomfort, doubt and anxiety. Such feelings are self-defeating. Michael Wheeler ’65, professor, Harvard Business School, will explain why negotiation is so emotionally fraught. He and colleague Kim Leary ’82 conducted in-depth interviews with veteran managers and lawyers. Notwithstanding their subjects’ impressive experience, most spoke of the risk of dealing with others who can’t be trusted, uncertainty about what might unfold and concern about their own competence. You’ll see dream-like collages that these subjects created to express their feelings; you'll also hear them explain their strange pictures in short audio clips. The program will end on a practical note, highlighting recent research showing how to manage and draw upon your emotions successfully, not just in negotiation but in your social lives more broadly. Presented by the Class of 1965.