Negotiating face-to-face: Men's facial structure predicts negotiation performance

This is a member only resource

Become a Member » Log In »
Negotiating face-to-face: Men's facial structure predicts negotiation performance
The Leadership Quarterly

Although a great deal of research has examined specific behaviors that positively affect leaders' negotiation processes and outcomes there has been considerably less attention devoted to stable characteristics psychological or physical that might also influence outcomes at the bargaining table. In the current researchwe identify a measureable physical trait – the facial width-to-height ratio – that predicts negotiation performance in men. Across four studies we show that men with greater facial width-to-height ratios are less cooperative negotiators compared to men with smaller facial ratios. This lack of cooperation allows menwith greater facialwidth-to-height ratios to claim more value when negotiating with other men but inhibits their ability to discover creative agreements that benefit all negotiating parties. These results provide insight into the factors linking leadership facial structure and conflict resolution.

Citation: 
The Leadership Quarterly 25 (2014) 835 – 845

Become a Member

The IOC is a global community of coaches.

Join

Contact Us

  • Institute of Coaching
  • McLean Hospital
  • 115 Mill Street, Mail Stop 314
  • Belmont, MA 02478
  • Phone: 617-767-2670
  • info@instituteofcoaching.org