Bio
Bella (Zhiying) Ren is an Assistant Professor in the Management and Organizations area. She received her PhD in Decision Processes from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Ren studies why communication and information exchange sometimes falter in organizations, even when individuals and teams are genuinely trying to listen and collaborate. She examines this question in the context of conflict, decision-making, and negotiation. Her research shows that the fundamental human need to feel validated and to belong can distort how people interpret others’ words and actions. In particular, these needs can cause individuals to mistake disagreement for poor listening, misinterpret constructive feedback, and assume alignment where it may not exist—ultimately undermining learning, collaboration, and leadership effectiveness.
Through her work, Dr. Ren uncovers the psychological barriers that get in the way of productive dialogue and develops practical strategies for fostering more open, curious, and constructive communication at work. Her research has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review.