This rant is the product of several articles I have recently read in a variety of business magazines and web sites. Fortunately, I can actually claim that I have not personally witnessed the behaviour, but I thought that it was worth throwing out for discussion as you Stupid Heads so like commenting on my posts.
Along with tough economic times comes the reality faced by many employers – down-sizing. (Ed note: I hate the term “right-sizing” as it implies that the organization was wrongly-sized. If it was wrongly-sized in the first place then fire management, they obviously don’t know what to do). Fortunately or unfortunately, we generally know about workforce reductions prior to their occurrence, although we do not know exactly who will fall victim to HR’s (Human Remains) axe.
So what do we do when we are faced with the possibility – try to protect our jobs. One common way of doing this is to ingratiate ourselves to our bosses, also known as brown-nosing. In case you are wondering, the term brown-nosing comes from the image of an obsequious person whose nose becomes soiled in kissing the rump of someone from whom favour is sought.
So why is this stupid? Because it is bad for business. Period. A [University of Texas] study found that brown-nosing can influence a company to its highest levels, including the awarding of positions on various corporate boards.
Lose at golf to get a promotion? OK. Be a “yes-man” at work for advancement? Good for you but bad for the company. People will do it, but companies must break this type of behaviour. Last thing you need is a member of management having stupid ideas supported solely for the reason of job protection.
Remember, the stupid idea you support may ultimately cost you your job as the company folds because you supported the idea that investing in the recycled toilet paper company.
Timmy out.