Sycophancy is a behavior of few individuals, where they attempt to win favors by flattering influential people. It would be everywhere in society.



These days this is prevalent in Organizations, where individuals are depending on sycophancy. These people can also be termed as bootlickers, brownnosers, apple polishers, yes-man and what not. These individuals try to irritate other employees in the Organization by doing either of the following or by doing all:



1. Evading their work by means of flattering their superiors

2. Stealing other employees hard work and the appreciation related to that particular work

3. Creating an insecure environment with their sneaky nature to capture all information in order to be poured into the ears of the superiors

4. Blindly accepting the ideas of the superiors and being an Yes Man (applicable to woman employees too but there is no word like Yes Woman) without analyzing the pros and cons of any particular action.

5. Doing personal favors to the superiors like doing their personal jobs.

6. Inconsequential or unnecessary appreciation of the superiors. Etc.



There might be more forms too to this Sycophancy. Such kind of behavior is not only irritating to rest of the resources it might be demotivating too. As most of these bootlickers get easy promotions, choosy assignments or differential treatment and better hikes in comparison to the persons who show steady stream of achievements and hard work.



This is definitely a threatening scenario where either the star performers would quit the organization and go after a series of demotivating scenarios or even they might tend to follow the suit of these sycophants. Either of the outcomes is a going to be worst thing for any organization.



One needs to cross check one self time and again if they are judging people appropriately or not or if they are falling flat to the flattery and becoming biased while filling appraisal forms or employee forms of their subordinates, peers or superiors.



Please note these sycophants might be your bosses too, who under their position influence can steal your work and achievements too. One should follow their instincts and protest as soon as possible and bring it to the notice of the authority who can put a check to such things. In case if one is not getting any support from the higher ups too, its better to quit the unworthy association and be a part of a progressive organization which will recognize employees for their hard work rather than for their flattery.



Hope most of you would agree with me and share your valuable opinions in regard to this crisis.



Regards,

Sri Manjari .V