Flattery and its effects on corporates

Every human being is once a while is affected by flattery word in either way of life. Flattery has many synonymous like Adulation, Blarney , Servility, Sycophancy , Cajole, Butter up , Pay Court to etc. In Hindi we called it Chaplushi. Now I am sure you must be clear. What do I mean to discuss here.

Birth
There are only two type of people in any corporate. One want to grow by shortcut and other by way of hard work and knowledge. Since world is very demanding. First kind of people do not hesitate to do things beyond that they are required to do. Desires to get quick success without work gives the birth to word called Flattery in corporate.

Story
Perhaps the best known story regarding the downsides of flattery is Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Crow”, where a fox comes upon a crow perched on a tree branch, holding a piece of cheese in its beak. Eager to have that piece of cheese, the fox calls out to the crow and starts to flatter the bird about how attractive it is and how it must have the most beautiful voice of all the birds. The fox asks the crow to sing a song so that the fox could enjoy its beautiful voice.
The crow, caught up in the flattering remarks being given by the fox, opens up its mouth and lets out a squawk, causing the cheese to fall from its mouth down to the ground where it’s snatched up by the fox. As the fox walks off with the cheese, he tells the crow “Do not trust flatterers”.

Effects on person subject to flattery
Prof. Sengupta of Harward says Flattery, has an insidious ability to worm its way into the unconscious, where it creates persistent feelings that could affect the outcomes of all kinds of business interactions, from job interviews to sales to boardroom presentations.'
Even Subject's conscious mind knows that they are being flattered by the opposite person. Still they are obliged to listen from the other person due to their unconscious mind which likes flattery.

One who is subject to flattery can learn a good concept from below quote.

  Flattery is like chewing gum. Enjoy is but don't swallow it. - Hank Ketcham 

Effects on Corporate

Flattery Corrupts both the receiver and the giver -  Edmund Burke 

Knavery and Flattery are blood relation. -Abraham Lincoln 

Any thing which is bad in nature will always have bad effects. Same concept applies here as well. People who are dishonest and corrupt in nature like to receive and give flattery. Flattery has ruined several empires in past. Due to flattery management chooses to close their eyes for several issues which could have adverse effects on the growth and stability of the empire.
Since flattery is involved as human level, first adverse effects also starts with human working for organization. Employee iteration increases, People who wish to stick with organization start working toward a common goal flattery. Thus organization goals gets neglected. Vision and Mission of organization are never full filled.

Size of organization does matter ?

There are different approach of pursuing career by an individual. Some may land up working with a Large organizations or some with a small in terms of number of employees. Since I come from Information Technology industry. I have made few observations after working with different type of organization.

Working with a small organization has its own merits and flaws.  An organization could be a service or product oriented or both. Since service oriented company has always scope to grow in terms of large head count.  It is opposite when it comes to a product company.  You may not need a army of thousands to develop a best product. It is generally done by a bunch of people. Let say few hundred.

When people join a small organization they come with an expectation of  big growth in career. I have observed that there is difference in approach of working in IT industry within India and rest of world. People in other countries may be working on a same position for a longer period. But in case of India doesn't work. People have to grow with the years of experience on the ladder of management in a company.  But questions is How many people we need as people manager in a small company ? How many lead positions we can afford to in small bunch of organization. If employee knows that he will not grow in long term in term with company.  They may start looking for different opportunities where they can grow.

Now Question is how to retain these people?  Well It always depends on management how they want to mold their company. Identifying a right people as a leader is very important for the success of a organization.
Lead should not be one who does not understand business at all. Lead should not be just a people manager.  Lead should be awarded with responsibility with authority to work. Authority to groom and build a team. People always look for road map of their career. if there is a good lead to groom them it may work for small company.
So It is very important for a person to decide on the size and type of organization based on his or her career aspirations. 

Human Transactions - Give and Take.

Today, I learned a basic but very important concept about the society from a book. It talks about the human transactions. It says ' If you want to understand a person's character look closely at their interpersonal behaviour or their transactions.' Transactions are interaction between two people. It is about give and take.

Above concept is very basic and can be applied in any where in your life. Whether be it your family, friends or your colleague.

Now if you are manager or employee you must be thinking what should it give in return to complete transaction. 

Employee : As a employee you are obliged to perform your duties toward achieving the common goal of organization. Sharing knowledge with your peers and motivating your subordinates. It doesn't mean that a employee should indulge himself in sycophancy to his managers , peers or subordinates. 

Manager : As a manager you can complete your transaction by completing duties towards your organization, your peers and your subordinates. To complete the transaction from employee side a manager should also complete his or her transaction by motivating or acknowledging. 

I will look forward your comments.