Bridgerton: A Conversation Catalyst for Managers to Discuss Gender Bullies and Allies

Abstract

Gender-based bullying is a persistent challenge in the workplace that is often insufficiently addressed in management education. Such behavior erodes trust in management and contributes to employee distress and turnover. This experiential exercise provides undergraduate management students with an engaging way to practice having constructive conversations about gender bullies and allies. Based on the popular Netflix series Bridgerton, the exercise includes an interactive handout with key dialogue from the show. After reviewing information in the handout and watching video clips, students have a live conversation with a trusted individual about a bullying situation the student observed or experienced. Successfully used during in-person and online asynchronous management courses, the exercise provides students with an opportunity to apply communication skills learned from the exercise to their personal and professional lives. Adaptations for synchronous online course formats are provided.

Keywords

gender bullying allying Bridgerton experiential exercises communication

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