Why Ignoring Advice Damages Trust at Work - Insights from Dr. Hayley Blunden

Dr. Hayley Blunden, Assistant Professor of Management at American University’s Kogod School of Business, joined the Business Talk podcast to share insights from her research, “Seeker Beware: The Interpersonal Costs of Ignoring Advice.” In the conversation, she explains that workplace advice exchanges are not just about information quality, but also about the relationship dynamics they create and shape. Her work shows that when advisors see their advice being ignored, they often feel less close to the seeker, personally offended, and less willing to offer guidance in the future, effects that are even stronger for expert advisors whose professional identity is tied to their expertise. At the same time, she highlights a core communication mismatch: advice seekers typically approach these conversations to gather options and information, while advisors see themselves as providing a clear directional recommendation. Drawing on multi-method research, Dr. Blunden outlines how this gap can undermine workplace relationships and future collaboration, and offers practical strategies for both managers and advice seekers to preserve trust, maintain connection, and still make autonomous decisions. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. For more information, please visit www.globalmanagementconsultancy.com. Disclaimer: A. The background music incorporated in this video is the intellectual property of its respective developer and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Notwithstanding that it is a free-to-use version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy, and Deepak Bhatt do not own, and expressly do not claim, any rights, title, or interest in or to this music. B. Dr. Hayley Blunden shared valuable insights from her research titled “Seeker beware: The interpersonal costs of ignoring advice”, during an engaging episode of the Business Talk podcast. The uploaded video contains copyrighted content, so changing any graphics, music, or on-screen appearance of the author or host is not allowed.