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Rethinking political correctness.

Robin J Ely1, Debra E Meyerson, Martin N Davidson

  • 1Harvard Business School, Boston, USA. rely@hbs.edu

Harvard Business Review
|September 14, 2006
PubMed
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Political correctness has advanced workplace diversity but can impede cross-group relationships. Companies should teach relationship-building skills, not just rules, to foster trust and stronger connections.

Area of Science:

  • Organizational Behavior
  • Sociology
  • Diversity and Inclusion Studies

Background:

  • Legal and cultural shifts have increased diversity in professional roles.
  • Workplace interactions are increasingly shaped by political correctness standards.
  • While promoting civility, political correctness may inadvertently hinder relationship development across diverse groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the dual impact of political correctness on workplace diversity and relationship building.
  • To propose alternative strategies for fostering effective cross-group relationships in diverse organizations.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative analysis of workplace dynamics and interpersonal communication.
  • Development of a framework based on five principles for conflict resolution and relationship building across differences.

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Main Results:

  • Political correctness, while protective, can create barriers to authentic connection.
  • A skills-based approach, focusing on reflection and perspective-taking, enhances relational capacity.
  • Implementing principles like pausing, connecting, questioning, seeking support, and shifting mindset builds trust.

Conclusions:

  • Organizations should move beyond a "PC rule book" to cultivate relational skills.
  • Fostering an environment that encourages open dialogue and risk-taking strengthens interpersonal bonds.
  • Enhanced relational capacity leads to improved organizational performance and a more inclusive culture.