Ep 75. Maurice Schweitzer: When to Compete, When to Cooperate
"As parents, we often forget how powerful we really are."
Maurice Schweitzer
Maurice Schweitzer is the Cecilia Yen Koo Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on emotions, ethical decision-making, and the negotiation process. Maurice is co-author of the powerful and incredibly useful book Friend & Foe: When to Cooperate, When to Compete, and How to Succeed at Both. He teaches negotiations in Wharton’s executive education program, MBA, and undergraduate programs.
In this episode, Maurice and Stew discuss hierarchies that exist in work and family settings. Maurice explains that when power dynamics go unchecked, a group’s collective ability to discover creativity and growth is stifled. He talks about his experience coaching leaders to develop the skill of perspective-taking, to become more attuned to how their power affects those in subordinate positions. They learn to remain open to insights and constructive feedback from individuals lower on the totem pole. From his research, Maurice knows these moments of “flattened” power relations unlock creative insights and generate growth. He offers sage advice in this episode on negotiating relationships in order to steer organizations to success and families to healthier bonds.
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