Dr. Joel Brockner, Philip Hettleman Professor of Business in the Columbia University School of Business, joined Dr. Edna Chun’s Transforming Total Rewards class on September 28, 2021 for a highly interactive guest lecture on “The Process Matters.”
An expert on organizational justice, Professor Brockner authored a book by the same name (Princeton University Press, 2016). He shared his original research evidence with practical takeaways for the class on the key relationship between the quality of the process and the content or “favorability” of the decision. The quality of procedural justice can influence organizational outcomes such as in strengthening organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), commitment and morale. Throughout the talk, he emphasized the powerful symbolic message conveyed through dignity and respect in conveying difficult messages as well as the ethical and moral imperative emanating from practices of procedural justice.
Applying these principles to implementing major change processes, he outlined 5 key steps: 1) surface dissatisfaction with the status quo and describe why the situation is not acceptable; 2) remind stakeholders of the common vision throughout the change; 3) develop a process to move to the future state while showing respect for past practices; and 4) reduce the costs of change by addressing bases of resistance.
Gauging by the high level of involvement of the class in the discussion, Professor Brockner’s inspiring lecture provided great insight into how the process really matters and can shape organizational outcomes.
