Assistant Professor Truit Gray receives new Emerging Scholar Award

Dr. Truit Gray is an assistant professor in the Department of Management and the recipient of the inaugural Emerging Scholar Award. He exemplifies the spirit of the award as he combines academic rigor with practical relevance in his groundbreaking research – all while supporting his students with an engaging learning environment. 

His primary research focuses on prevailing assumptions on social status, emotions and leadership/team challenges. It paves the way for transformative insights in the field. His work has been published in one of the top journals in business, the “Journal of Management.”

In his exploration of social status dynamics, Gray challenges the conventional belief that additional social status is universally beneficial at work. By shedding light on the pressures and demands that may accompany heightened status, he highlights the importance of organizational support to prevent employee turnover in such situations.  

Gray acknowledges the inherently emotional nature of individuals in the workplace as he delves into topics such as: 

• Emotional reactions to working with narcissistic coworkers 
• Responses to workplace boredom 
• The emotional triggers for "quiet quitting" – employees disengaging at the minimum requirements of the job
   

Fostering positive environments 

Gray's research underscores the significance of understanding human emotion in the workplace. By decoding the intricacies of emotional responses, his work aims to cultivate work environments that mitigate negative emotions while amplifying positive ones. This may ultimately foster a more productive and harmonious workplace. 

With financial support from the Emerging Scholar Award, Gray can expand his data collection and explore these critical areas of research more deeply. The Schmidthorst College of Business is eagerly anticipating the continued development of his work and the growing impact of his thought leadership on organizational practices. 

Inspiring future leaders 

Gray will be teaching in the doctorate of organizational development and change program in the upcoming semester. This integration of cutting-edge research into the curriculum will equip future organizational leaders and change agents with the latest insights in business strategy and innovation. 

We applaud Gray for his groundbreaking contributions, and we celebrate the Schmidthorst College of Business Leadership Council’s commitment to fostering thought leadership that shapes the future of business strategy and innovation.