“THE YES BOSS SYNDROME”
Nabajyoti Choudhary

Sycophancy within an organization is a phenomenon where a subordinate either emotionally or psychologically tries to hijack the mindspace of his senior towards him. Basically four parties are affected by such a phenomenon. First the subordinate who indulges into the same for his personal benefits. Secondly the superior who gets bloated or flattered and encourages such actions. This in turn affects the moral of other efficient employees in the related field of work of the sycophant, thus affecting the productivity of the organization as a whole.

Often there are certain elements present within an organization who believe that more than by showing precision in their work, they can climb up the organizational ladder by indulging in the “YES BOSS SYNDROME”. In such a scenario often the sycophant tries and creates a personal rapport with his superior in order to hide his incompetence in his pursuits. Even though by indulging into sycophancy, the sycophants gain a short-term advantage, but in the long run, more so in the times of crisis within the organization their incompetence comes through very clearly. It is thus obvious that sycophancy might bring short-term benefits, but it is very difficult to make a successful career through it.

One of the most important parties to be effected by such a syndrome is the superior or the boss himself.  Often it is seen that human mind has a gap that allows or encourages sycophancy. The gap is the result of difference between the, “Desired Me” and the “Actual Me”. Every person in his sub conscious mind visualizes himself to attain the “Desired Me” stage where every activity happens the way he wants it to happen. The boss’s is also perturbed by turf wars or intense competition that he faces from his colleagues within the organization. In such a situation even the boss, in his sub conscious mind, would always like to feel important and right in his approach. Some subordinates who start catering to boss’ hidden ego needs manipulate this gap. This results into factors like nepotism, wrong perceptions and many other negative impacts, which often prove fatal for any organization.

The other two parties affected by such a syndrome are the other efficient employees in the related fields of work of the sycophant and the organization as a whole. Many employees who prefer to keep a low profile but are very effective in their tasks get away unnoticed and often the sycophant tends to score in the eyes of the superior without even having much competence in his work. This leads to a moral breakdown of those employees due to which they start loosing interest in their jobs resulting in a poor organizational efficiency.

Thus a slight introspection by the superior and the subordinates would ensure that a healthy, congenial and competitive atmosphere prevails within the organization which inturn would ensure a more vibrant organization.

Nabajyoti Choudhary
Final year student of
M S Ramaiah Institute of Management, Banaglore