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When sharing hurts: How and why self-disclosing weakness undermines the task-oriented relationships of higher status disclosers

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  • Gibson, Kerry Roberts
  • Harari, Dana
  • Marr, Jennifer Carson

Abstract

It is generally believed that self-disclosure has positive effects, particularly for relationships; however, we predict and find negative effects in the context of task-oriented relationships. Across three laboratory experiments, we find that both task-relevant (Study 1) and task-irrelevant (Studies 2 and 3) weakness disclosures, made by a higher (versus peer) status coworker during an interdependent task, negatively affected the receiver’s perception of the discloser’s status and consequently undermined the discloser’s influence, encouraged task conflict, and led to lower relationship quality with the discloser. Peer status disclosers did not trigger these negative responses. We find support for perceived vulnerability as the proposed psychological process (Study 3). Specifically, higher (but not peer) status disclosers experience a status penalty after weakness disclosures because these disclosures signal vulnerability, which violates the expectations people have for higher (but not peer) status coworkers. These findings provide insight into the effects of self-disclosing weakness at work and the ways in which high status employees may inadvertently trigger their own status loss.

Suggested Citation

  • Gibson, Kerry Roberts & Harari, Dana & Marr, Jennifer Carson, 2018. "When sharing hurts: How and why self-disclosing weakness undermines the task-oriented relationships of higher status disclosers," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 25-43.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:144:y:2018:i:c:p:25-43
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2017.09.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sun, Katherine Qianwen & Slepian, Michael L., 2020. "The conversations we seek to avoid," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 87-105.
    2. Qiu, Judy & Kesebir, Selin & Günaydin, Gül & Selçuk, Emre & Wasti, S. Arzu, 2022. "Gender differences in interpersonal trust: Disclosure behavior, benevolence sensitivity and workplace implications," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).

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