Summary

My research examines how power dynamics and cognitive schemas shape interpersonal relationships, with a particular focus on leader-follower interactions. Together with my supervisors, I study how people behaviourally adapt to one another through what we call interpersonal entrainment: the subtle process by which behaviours align during interaction. Especially in leader-follower relationships, this adaptation process can be inherently sensitive to our underlying cognitive schemas and power dynamics.

As an example, for one of our projects, we investigate how people adjust their speaking rates to each other over time and which factors influence this adjustment. Greater interpersonal adaptation (or entrainment) is associated with higher levels of trust and collaboration. In organisational contexts, trust and collaboration are in turn important as they support more effective communication, better decision-making, and a greater sense of psychological safety for both leaders and followers.