Research
My research draws on relational motivation and social exchange theory to understand workplace connection. I explore when and why people cross interpersonal boundaries to seek growth through feedback, friendship, and voice. Current research questions include:
Ties across difference: What drives interracial-bridging friendships at work?
Voice and authenticity: How does psychological alignment lead people to challenge those in power?
Feedback and growth mindset: What makes some people more (or less) resistant to work-related uncertainty?
Published Journal Articles
Brodsky, A.*, Lee, M. J.*, & Leonard, B. Discovering new frontiers for dyadic and team interaction studies: Current challenges and an open-source solution—SurvConf—for increasing the quantity and richness of interactional data. Academy of Management Discoveries, 8(3): 337-340. doi:10.5465/amd.2021.0257
*Authors contributed equally to this manuscript, alphabetical order.
Manuscript under Review
(Titles withheld in accordance with double-blind peer-review protocol)
Hussain, I.*, Lee, M. J.*, & Burris, E. [Voice topics: What do employees speak up about?]. Revise & Resubmit (first round) at Academy of Management Journal.
*Authors contributed equally to this manuscript, alphabetical order.
Lee, M. J., Brodsky, A., & Kouchaki, M. [State authenticity leading to challenging voice] Under first-round review at Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Romney, A., Rochford, K., Cooper, M., Lee, M. J., & Bergeron, D. [Role of relational listening behavior in voice non-endorsement] Under first-round review at Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Sohn, W. & Lee, M. J. [Incentive pay eligibility and the moderating role of job security through the lens of the challenge–hindrance stressor model] Under first-round review at Human Relations.
Manuscripts in Preparation for Submission
(Titles withheld in accordance with double-blind peer-review protocol)
Lee, M. J. & Harrison, D. A. [The role of exploratory resource investment in interracial friendships at work]
Lebel, R. D., Yang, X., Lee, M. J., & Parker, S. K. [The role of growth mindset in finding hope during times of uncertainty]
Selected Working Papers
Longmire, N. H., Ma, A., & Lee, M. J. Politically correct but failing to connect? Self-censoring with cultural minorities as a barrier to relational closeness. Status: Additional data collection.
Lee, M. J., Sohn, W., & Brodsky, A. Towards a virtually diverse workplace: The dynamics of dyadic relational history and virtual communication media richness on interracial-friendships. Status: Additional data collection.
Lee, M. J. & Harrison, D. A. A closer look at interracial-bridging friendships: Unveiling the influence of team inclusion on workplace social connection. Status: Additional data collection.
Google Scholar Profile link
Curriculum Vitae link
Last Updated Apr 2026