Warrington doctoral student honored with research grant for work on leader mistakes

University of Florida Warrington College of Business doctoral student Daniel Kim (Ph.D. ’25) is among the recipients of a grant for practical research focused on organizational innovation, learning and/or performance by leaders and teams.

The Graen Grant for Student Research from the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) awards Kim $3,000 to support his doctoral thesis focused on leader mistakes.

“While we often envision leaders as larger-than-life figures, the reality is that they are human, and even the most capable and well-meaning leaders commit errors at work,” Kim explained. “My research delves into why these errors can be a double-edged sword: on the one hand, they can inspire leaders to learn and grow, but on the other hand, they can also threaten their self-perceptions as a leader. I then examine how these dynamics influence leaders’ subsequent interactions with followers and shape how followers view the leader.”

Overall, Kim’s research focuses on better understanding complex interpersonal experiences that may matter for employee effectiveness and wellbeing across both work and home domains. Some of his published work, co-authored with his dissertation chair and Martin L. Schaffel Professor Klodiana Lanaj, highlights how feeling guilty after being rude at work can make you a better and kinder worker as well as how reflecting on gratitude you receive from family at home can make you a better leader at work. 

Kim, who is working towards his Ph.D. in management, earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of William & Mary. In addition to his research, Kim has taught Organizations: Structure and Behavior to undergraduate students at the University of Florida over several semesters, earning him a Ph.D. Teaching Award in 2023.  

“I am honored to receive the SIOP Graen Grant and am incredibly grateful to my advisor, Dr. Klodiana Lanaj, as well as my dissertation committee for their unwavering guidance and support,” Kim said. “This is a testament to the exceptional training I have been fortunate to receive, as well as all the dedication and effort that went into this work!”