Fictional media mogul’s family would get along if only they were more polite, Valentine Low and Seren Hughes write
Viewers of the television show Succession, the blackly comic series about the media mogul Logan Roy and his squabbling offspring, have praised the characters’ sniping one-liners and quick wit since its debut on our screens in 2018.
But according to one behavioural scientist at Harvard Business School, their relationships would be vastly improved if they all knew how to speak to each other better.
Francesca Gino says that the Roys, while brilliant at plotting and scheming, are no good at the sophisticated art of how to have a tough conversation.
In the latest episode of the show, which is now on its fourth and final season, the Roys all make several common mistakes in how they approach difficult conversations, Gino claimed.
She said she found four key errors in the second episode, Rehearsal, including that the Roys fail to start their interactions from a foundation of trust, prioritise fear when managing staff, dodge hard truths when delivering feedback, and offer insincere apologies.
“[The] characters are trying to have a difficult conversation, but it’s almost as if the air is thick with tension and suspicion,” she said in Harvard Business Review, adding that their mistakes present an opportunity to discuss the best ways to have these conversations.
Noting that a lack of trust “seems to be present across nearly all the familial and business relationships portrayed in the show”, Gino stressed that trust was the foundation for a difficult conversation and healthy relationships.
“When trust is missing, people are less willing to communicate honestly, and misunderstandings are more likely to occur,” she explained. “It’s a vicious cycle that can be hard to break out of. Without trust, people may also be unwilling to take responsibility for their actions, leading to prolonged conflicts and making [resolution] harder.”
In Rehearsal, Logan visits the newsroom of ATN, his right-wing television network, and makes a fiery speech. Gino critiques Logan’s use of fear as his main motivator, citing research showing its detrimental effects.
Zoe Winters as Logan’s assistant Kerry, who has ambitions to be a TV newsreader
She continued: “Leading by fear creates a toxic work environment that erodes trust, stifles creativity and innovation, and leads to high turnover rates. Fear-based leaders tend to be controlling and critical, leaving little room for employees to exercise their own judgment or creativity. This can result in decreased job satisfaction, increased stress and anxiety, and even mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.”
Logan dodging responsibility and forcing Greg Hirsch, his great-nephew and employee of ATN, to deliver news to Logan’s assistant Kerry that an audition she gave to become an anchor of ATN was not up to scratch, showcases an avoidance of discussing hard truths in the show, said Gino.
She also criticises Greg’s use of the “feedback sandwich”, whereby constructive feedback is sandwiched between positive remarks, diluting the impact of the feedback.
Gino’s final lesson from Succession is on sincere apologies. Branding an apology Logan gives in the episode to his children Kendall, Shiv and Roman as insincere, she said: “Genuine apologies validate and acknowledge the hurt we’ve caused, reducing negative emotions like anger and resentment. Apologies benefit both the apologiser and the recipient by increasing empathy, forgiveness, and relationship satisfaction.
A well executed apology can improve our relationships, leaving us better off than before the mistake was made.”
She added: “By having the courage to engage in difficult conversations, we can address issues head-on, build stronger relationships based on trust and create more positive outcomes for everyone involved.”
Armed with that advice, the Roys would probably have been a lot happier. The show, alas, would not have survived beyond episode one.
Source: The Times
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