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Modupe Akinola

Modupe Akinola
Barbara and David Zalaznick Professor of Business
Management Division
Faculty Director
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics
Areas of Expertise
Leadership & Organizational Behavior
Contact
Office: 346 Kravis
E-mail: [email protected]
Links
Personal Website
Curriculum Vitae

Modupe Akinola is the Barbara and David Zalaznick Professor of Business at Columbia Business School and Faculty Director of the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics. Prior to pursuing a career in academia, Professor Akinola worked in professional services at Bain & Company and Merrill Lynch. Professor Akinola examines how organizational environments- characterized by deadlines, multi-tasking, and other attributes such as having low status- can engender stress, and how this stress can have spill-over effects on performance. She uses a multi-method approach that includes behavioral observation, implicit and reaction time measures, and physiological responses (specifically hormonal and cardiovascular responses) to examine how cognitive outcomes are affected by stress. In addition, Professor Akinola examines workforce diversity. Specifically, she examines the strategies organizations employ to increase the diversity of their talent pool. She also explores biases that affect the recruitment and retention of minorities in organizations.

Education
BA, Harvard, 1996; MBA, Harvard, 2001; MA, Harvard, 2006; PhD, Harvard, 2009
Joined CBS
2009

All Activities

  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Awards and Honors
  • Press
  • Journal articles
  • Working papers
  • Articles
  • Books
  • Chapters
Type
Journal Article
Milkman, Katherine, Mitesh Patel, Linnea Gandhi, Heather Graci, Dena Gromet, Hung Ho, Joseph Kay, Timothy Lee, and Modupe Akinola
. “A mega-study of text-based nudges encouraging patients to get vaccinated at an upcoming doctor’s appointment.”
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
vol.
118
, (May 18, 2021):
e2101165118
.
Read More about A mega-study of text-based nudges encouraging patients to get vaccinated at an upcoming doctor’s appointment
Type
Journal Article
Gruber, June, Jane Mendle, Kristin Lindquist, Toni Schmader, Lee Clark, Eliza Bliss-Moreau, and Modupe Akinola
. “The future of women in psychological science.”
Perspectives on Psychological Science
vol.
16
, (September 09, 2020):
483
-
516
.
Read More about The future of women in psychological science
Type
Journal Article
Castro, K.V., D.A. Edwards, Modupe Akinola, and Pranjal Mehta
. “Testosterone reactivity to competition and competitive endurance in men and women.”
Hormones & Behavior
vol.
123
, (July 01, 2020):
104665
.
Read More about Testosterone reactivity to competition and competitive endurance in men and women
Type
Journal Article
Crum, A.J., J.P. Jamieson, and Modupe Akinola
. “Optimizing stress: An integrated intervention for regulating stress responses.”
Emotion
vol.
20
, (February 01, 2020):
120
-
125
.
Read More about Optimizing stress: An integrated intervention for regulating stress responses
Type
Journal Article
Chang, E.H., Katherine Milkman, Dolly Chugh, and Modupe Akinola
. “Diversity thresholds: How social norms, visibility, and scrutiny relate to group composition.”
Academy of Management Journal
vol.
62
, (February 01, 2019):
144
-
171
.
Read More about Diversity thresholds: How social norms, visibility, and scrutiny relate to group composition
Type
Journal Article
Chang, E.H., Katherine Milkman, Dolly Chugh, and Modupe Akinola
. “Diversity thresholds: How social norms, visibility, and scrutiny relate to group composition.”
Academy of Management Journal
vol.
62(4)
, (January 01, 2019):
144
-
171
.
Read More about Diversity thresholds: How social norms, visibility, and scrutiny relate to group composition
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe, C. Kapadia, G.J. Lu, and Malia Mason
. “Incorporating physiology into creativity research and practice: The effects of bodily stress responses on creativity in organizations.”
Academy of Management Perspectives
vol.
33
, (January 01, 2019):
163
-
184
.
Read More about Incorporating physiology into creativity research and practice: The effects of bodily stress responses on creativity in organizations
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe, C. Kapadia, G.J. Lu, and M.F. Mason
. “Incorporating physiology into creativity research and practice: The effects of bodily stress responses on creativity in organizations.”
Academy of Management Perspectives
vol.
33(2)
, (January 01, 2019):
163
-
164
.
Read More about Incorporating physiology into creativity research and practice: The effects of bodily stress responses on creativity in organizations
Type
Journal Article
Jamieson, J.P., A.J. Crum, J.P. Goyer, M.E. Marotta, and Modupe Akinola
. “Optimizing stress responses with reappraisal and mind set interventions: An integrated model.”
Anxiety Stress & Coping
vol.
31
, (January 01, 2018):
245
-
261
.
Read More about Optimizing stress responses with reappraisal and mind set interventions: An integrated model
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe, A. Martin, and K. Phillips
. “To delegate or not to delegate: Gender differences in affective associations and behavioral responses to delegation.”
Academy of Managemen Journal
vol.
61(4)
, (January 01, 2018):
1467
-
1491
.
Read More about To delegate or not to delegate: Gender differences in affective associations and behavioral responses to delegation
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe and A. Martin
. “To delegate or not to delegate: Gender differences in affective associations and behavioral responses to delegation.”
Academy of Management Journal
vol.
61
, (January 01, 2018):
1476
-
1491
.
Read More about To delegate or not to delegate: Gender differences in affective associations and behavioral responses to delegation
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe, Elizabeth Page-Gould, Pranjal Mehta, and Z. Liu
. “Hormone-Diversity Fit: Collective Testosterone Moderates the Effect of Diversity on Group Performance.”
Psychological Science
vol.
29
, (January 01, 2018):
859
-
867
.
Read More about Hormone-Diversity Fit: Collective Testosterone Moderates the Effect of Diversity on Group Performance
Type
Journal Article
Lu, Jackson, Modupe Akinola, and Malia Mason
. “"Switching on" creativity: Task switching can increase creativity by reducing cognitive fixation.”
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
vol.
139
, (March 01, 2017):
63
-
75
.
Read More about "Switching on" creativity: Task switching can increase creativity by reducing cognitive fixation
Type
Journal Article
Crum, A.J., Modupe Akinola, A. Martin, and S. Fath
. “The role of stress mindset in shaping cognitive, emotional, and physiological responses to challenging and threatening stress.”
Anxiety, Stress & Coping
vol.
30
, (January 01, 2017):
379
-
395
.
Read More about The role of stress mindset in shaping cognitive, emotional, and physiological responses to challenging and threatening stress
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe, Ilona Fridman, Shira Mor, Michael Morris, and Alia Crum
. “Adaptive appraisals of anxiety moderate the association between cortisol reactivity and performance in salary negotiations.”
PLOS ONE
vol.
11
, (January 01, 2016):
1
-
10
.
Read More about Adaptive appraisals of anxiety moderate the association between cortisol reactivity and performance in salary negotiations
Download PDF on Adaptive appraisals of anxiety moderate the association between cortisol reactivity and performance in salary negotiations
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe, Elizabeth Page-Gould, Pranjal Mehta, and Jackson Lu
. “Collective hormonal profiles predict group performance.”
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
vol.
113
, (January 01, 2016):
9774
-
9779
.
Read More about Collective hormonal profiles predict group performance
Download PDF on Collective hormonal profiles predict group performance
Type
Journal Article
Page-Gould, E. and Modupe Akinola
. “Incorporating neuroendocrine methods into intergroup relations research.”
Group Processes and Intergroup Relations
vol.
18
, (January 01, 2015):
366
-
383
.
Read More about Incorporating neuroendocrine methods into intergroup relations research
Type
Journal Article
Milkman, Katherine, Modupe Akinola, and Dolly Chugh
. “What happens before? A field experiment exploring how pay and representation differentially shape bias on the pathway into organizations.”
Journal of Applied Psychology
vol.
100
, (January 01, 2015):
1678
-
1712
.
Read More about What happens before? A field experiment exploring how pay and representation differentially shape bias on the pathway into organizations
Download PDF on What happens before? A field experiment exploring how pay and representation differentially shape bias on the pathway into organizations
Type
Journal Article
Muhtadie, L., Katrina Koslov, Modupe Akinola, and Wendy Berry Mendes
. “Vagal flexibility: A physiological predictor of social sensitivity.”
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
vol.
109
, (January 01, 2015):
106
-
120
.
Read More about Vagal flexibility: A physiological predictor of social sensitivity
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe and Wendy Berry Mendes
. “It's Good to Be the King: Neurobiological Benefits of Higher Social Standing.”
Social Psychology and Personality Science
vol.
5
, (April 22, 2013):
43
-
51
.
Read More about It's Good to Be the King: Neurobiological Benefits of Higher Social Standing
Download PDF on It's Good to Be the King: Neurobiological Benefits of Higher Social Standing
Type
Journal Article
Ayduk, Ozlem, Anett Gyurak, Modupe Akinola, and Wendy Berry Mendes
. “Consistency Over Flattery: Self-Verification Processes Revealed in Implicit and Behavioral Responses to Feedback.”
Social Psychological and Personality Science
vol.
4
, (January 07, 2013):
538
-
545
.
Read More about Consistency Over Flattery: Self-Verification Processes Revealed in Implicit and Behavioral Responses to Feedback
Download PDF on Consistency Over Flattery: Self-Verification Processes Revealed in Implicit and Behavioral Responses to Feedback
Type
Journal Article
Milkman, Katherine, Modupe Akinola, and Dolly Chugh
. “Temporal Distance and Discrimination: An Audit Study in Academia.”
Psychological Science
vol.
23
, (July 01, 2012):
710
-
717
.
Read More about Temporal Distance and Discrimination: An Audit Study in Academia
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe and Wendy Berry Mendes
. “Stress-induced cortisol facilitates threat-related decision making among police officers.”
Behavioral Neuroscience
vol.
126
, (January 01, 2012):
167
-
174
.
Read More about Stress-induced cortisol facilitates threat-related decision making among police officers
Download PDF on Stress-induced cortisol facilitates threat-related decision making among police officers
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe
. “Measuring the pulse of an organization: Integrating physiological measures into the organizational scholar's toolbox.”
Research in Organizational Behavior
vol.
30
, (October 20, 2010):
203
-
223
.
Read More about Measuring the pulse of an organization: Integrating physiological measures into the organizational scholar's toolbox
Download PDF on Measuring the pulse of an organization: Integrating physiological measures into the organizational scholar's toolbox
Type
Journal Article
Akinola, Modupe and Wendy Berry Mendes
. “The dark side of creativity: Biological vulnerability and negative emotions lead to greater artistic creativity.”
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
vol.
34
, (January 01, 2008):
1677
-
1686
.
Read More about The dark side of creativity: Biological vulnerability and negative emotions lead to greater artistic creativity
Download PDF on The dark side of creativity: Biological vulnerability and negative emotions lead to greater artistic creativity
Type
Working Paper
Akinola, Modupe, T Opie, G Ho, S Castel, M. Unzueta, and A Brief
. Diversity isn’t what it used to be: The consequences of the broadening of diversity. January 01, 2025.
Read More about Diversity isn’t what it used to be: The consequences of the broadening of diversity
Type
Working Paper
Bergemann, Patrick, Zachary Heinemann, Modupe Akinola, Sheena Iyengar, and Adam Galinsky
. Diversity by Design: The Role of Contact and Homophily in Determining Persistent Friendships. August 13, 2020.
Read More about Diversity by Design: The Role of Contact and Homophily in Determining Persistent Friendships
Type
Working Paper
Heinemann, Zachary, Modupe Akinola, Sheena Iyengar, and Adam Galinsky
. Diversity by Design: The Role of Contact and Homophily in Determining Persistent Friendships. January 01, 2019.
Read More about Diversity by Design: The Role of Contact and Homophily in Determining Persistent Friendships
Type
Working Paper
Wang, Dan, K.J. Hwang, and Modupe Akinola
. When Do Specialists Become Entrepreneurs? The Triggering Effect of Social Network Knowledge Diversity. January 01, 2019.
Read More about When Do Specialists Become Entrepreneurs? The Triggering Effect of Social Network Knowledge Diversity
Type
Working Paper
Wang, Dan, Kylie Hwang, and Modupe Akinola
. When Do Specialists Become Entrepreneurs? The Triggering Effect of Social Network Knowledge Diversity. January 01, 2018.
Read More about When Do Specialists Become Entrepreneurs? The Triggering Effect of Social Network Knowledge Diversity
Type
Working Paper
Overbeck, J.R., D. Meikle, and Modupe Akinola
. The Loyal Lieutenant as Kingmaker: Subtle Cues of Deference Determine Hierarchy Development. January 01, 2017.
Read More about The Loyal Lieutenant as Kingmaker: Subtle Cues of Deference Determine Hierarchy Development
Type
Working Paper
Akinola, Modupe
. Seeking feedback across boundaries: Barriers for women and minorities in the workplace. January 01, 2014.
Read More about Seeking feedback across boundaries: Barriers for women and minorities in the workplace
Type
Working Paper
Fridman, Ilona, Shira Mor, Modupe Akinola, and Michael Morris
. Channeling Arousal Through Altering Mindset: The Adaptive Role of Elevated Cortisol in Negotiation Outcomes. January 01, 2013.
Read More about Channeling Arousal Through Altering Mindset: The Adaptive Role of Elevated Cortisol in Negotiation Outcomes
Type
Working Paper
Akinola, Modupe
. Capitalizing on Stress: Changing Mindsets to Harness the Beneficial Psychological, Physiological, and Performance Effects of Stress. January 01, 2013.
Read More about Capitalizing on Stress: Changing Mindsets to Harness the Beneficial Psychological, Physiological, and Performance Effects of Stress
Type
Working Paper
Milkman, Katherine, Modupe Akinola, and Dolly Chugh
. Heterogeneity in Discrimination? A Field Experiment. January 01, 2012.
Read More about Heterogeneity in Discrimination? A Field Experiment
Download PDF on Heterogeneity in Discrimination? A Field Experiment
Type
Working Paper
Akinola, Modupe, Katrina Koslov, and Wendy Berry Mendes
. Inspiration is facilitated by positive mood and vagal withdrawal. January 01, 2009.
Read More about Inspiration is facilitated by positive mood and vagal withdrawal
Type
Working Paper
Akinola, Modupe and Wendy Berry Mendes
. Narcissistic tendencies and sensitivity to social feedback: An examination of cardiovascular reactivity during social evaluative situations. January 01, 2009.
Read More about Narcissistic tendencies and sensitivity to social feedback: An examination of cardiovascular reactivity during social evaluative situations
Type
Working Paper
Akinola, Modupe and David Thomas
. Defining the attributes and processes that enhance the effectiveness of workforce diversity initiatives in knowledge intensive firms. January 01, 2006.
Read More about Defining the attributes and processes that enhance the effectiveness of workforce diversity initiatives in knowledge intensive firms
Download PDF on Defining the attributes and processes that enhance the effectiveness of workforce diversity initiatives in knowledge intensive firms
Type
Newspaper/Magazine Article
Goyer, J.P., A.J. Crum, R. Grunberg, and Modupe Akinola
. “Thriving under pressure: The effects of stress-related wise interventions on affect, sleep, and exam performance for disadvantaged college students.”
Emotion
. December 22, 2022.
Read More about Thriving under pressure: The effects of stress-related wise interventions on affect, sleep, and exam performance for disadvantaged college students
Type
Newspaper/Magazine Article
Crum, Alia, Modupe Akinola, B. Turnwald, T. Kaptchuk, and K. Hall
. “Catecho-O-methyltransferase moderates effects of stress mindset on affect and cognition.”
PLOS ONE
. January 01, 2018.
Read More about Catecho-O-methyltransferase moderates effects of stress mindset on affect and cognition
Download PDF on Catecho-O-methyltransferase moderates effects of stress mindset on affect and cognition
Type
Newspaper/Magazine Article
Crum, A.J., D.J. Phillips, J.P. Goyer, Modupe Akinola, and E. Tory Higgins
. “Transforming Water: Social Influence Moderates Psychological, Physiological, and Functional Response to a Placebo Product.”
PLOS ONE
. January 01, 2016.
Read More about Transforming Water: Social Influence Moderates Psychological, Physiological, and Functional Response to a Placebo Product
Type
Chapter
Rosette, A.S., Modupe Akinola, and Anyi Ma
. “Subtle Discrimination in the Workplace: Individual-Level Factors and Processes.” In
The Oxford Handbook of Workplace Discrimination
, edited by
Adrienne J. Colella and Eden B. King
,
New York
:
Oxford University Press
, 2018.
Read More about Subtle Discrimination in the Workplace: Individual-Level Factors and Processes
  • Courses
  • Case Studies
Type
Course
B6500: Lead: People, Teams, Organizations
View Course on Lead: People, Teams, Organizations
Type
Course
B8772: Global Immersion: Lessons from Rwanda on Conflict, Leadership, Change, and Business Opportunities
View Course on Global Immersion: Lessons from Rwanda on Conflict, Leadership, Change, and Business Opportunities
Type
Case Study
Akinola, Modupe
. ClothingCo: Redesigning the Sleepwear Business (A). 
New York
:
CaseWorks
, 2009.
Read More about ClothingCo: Redesigning the Sleepwear Business (A)
Download PDF on ClothingCo: Redesigning the Sleepwear Business (A)
Type
Case Study
Akinola, Modupe
. ClothingCo: Redesigning the Sleepwear Business (B). 
New York
:
CaseWorks
, 2009.
Read More about ClothingCo: Redesigning the Sleepwear Business (B)
Download PDF on ClothingCo: Redesigning the Sleepwear Business (B)
  • Awards & Honors
  • In the Media
  • Ideas
  • Research In Brief
  • Press Releases
Type
In the Media

How Women's Reluctance to Delegate Can Hurt Their Careers: The Broadsheet

Fortune
Type
In the Media

Women Are Less Likely to Delegate Than Men-and That Might Hurt Their Careers

The Wall Street Journal
Type
In the Media

Manage your ego — and more advice for MBA students

Financial Times
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