Black employees often face subtle workplace bias through the invalidation of their emotional pain, a phenomenon known as social pain minimization (SPM). Building on research concerning race-based pain bias, this work examines whether managers demonstrate such biases and whether transformational leadership (TL) can mitigate their effects. In Study 1, managers judged Black target individuals as less distressed and in need of fewer coping resources than White target individuals, with pain judgments mediating support decisions. Study 2 built upon these findings, showing that TL reduced the minimization of Black employees’ pain and promoted more equitable support judgments. Together, these studies identify race-based pain bias as a barrier to workplace equity and highlight TL as a leadership style that validates Black employees’ emotional experiences and fosters inclusion. These findings on inclusivity and transformational leadership could extend to other marginalized groups.

Authors:
Isabella Lehman, Auburn University, United States
Phillip Nguyen, Auburn University, United States
Brielle Johnson, Auburn University, United States
Gargi Sawhney, Auburn University, United States
Jonathan Kunstman, Auburn University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Mrs. Isabella Lehman is currently an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Doctoral Candidate at Auburn University, Alabama, United States. Her research currently includes themes of social motives and intergroup dynamics in the workplace.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-lehman-a342a6236/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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