SYCOPHANTS Vs SUPPORTERS

In every organization, there will be power centers at the helm of affairs and when there are power centers, there is every chance they are surrounded by sycophants posing as Supporters. Even a management expert with amazing abilities to pin out the deft camouflaging techniques would fail to identify these dangerous elements around him/her.

These people are the ones who enter into the inner circle of the top executive (power center) with servile obedience to make him/her as his/her puppet slowly and steadily sooner or later. At one point in time, the power center can seldom apprehend the true intentions of these people to get enslaved pathetically.

How to differentiate sycophants from supporters?

1. They develop close proximity with you
2. They will enter your cabin even when you don't call them - whereas they make people outside believe that every now and then they are called by you (for discussion/consultations)
3. They will bring in more news to you around the organization
4. They always appreciate you (especially in front of your VIP guests)
5. In public (inside or outside the organization) they will be moving around close to you and share husky messages so as to make people believe he/she is the only close and trusted person to you.
6. They simultaneously develop closeness with your own family and close friends/counterparts
7. They will attend to even the errand jobs pertaining to your family members (especially life partner/children) .
8. They will prevent everyone who tries to come closer to you and even go ahead to complain about that person to you wrongly.
9. They will visit your home frequently (during holidays) to take orders from your life partner and children and get things done so easily with the result they become dependent on this person even for small personal jobs.
10. They would start giving promises to people across the organization to get things done through you.
11. Few talented sycophants may even establish connections with your boss to keep you under check.
12. They will talk about memorable moments about you and your family involving his/her own family

How to avoid menace of sycophants?

1. Talk less and listen more
2. Never allow people to assess / judge from your words and actions
3. When the enter your cabin uncalled for, question them and send them out, of course with a friendly smile
4. Keep safe distance from everyone all the time.
5. Never encourage people who indulge in rumor mongering or just listen and avoid response
6. Never allow them to establish contacts with your family members
7. Avoid discussions on your personal matters/issues/problems
8. When people start flattering (however genuine it is) never show interest and just change the topic - you may question about the progress of work etc.
9. Demark the boundaries and ensure no one crosses it
10. Have a clear ground rule in respect of interactions with you
11. Always cross check information brought to you by anyone about your subordinates, colleagues, superiors (more important)
12. Always make people guessing in respect of your likes & dislikes, habits, behavioral pattern and routines
13. A person who got promotions and reached higher echelons always indulge in sycophancy Sycophancy & Promotions

Few Real-Life Incidents

I was engaged by one of the top management functionaries in my erstwhile organization who use to have close and workable relationship with almost all union leaders. During one of the official functions, I was accompanying this gentleman to the dais where a Union Leader who was considered close to this top official was standing with few people. Normally our Vice President (Admn.) would go and give a friendly pat calling him 'THALAIVARE" (Oh.. leader) simply avoided him and went on to the dais. The union leader had become very much upset. Later on, when I asked my boss about his willful avoidance of that union leader, he said "Ganesh, did you not notice the people around him? They are local thugs to whom he might have told that I am his close ally. It was simply a trap set by him - had I fallen prey to his evil designs, I would have lost my credibility.". It was a lesson to me to avoid Sycophancy.

Another time, when I was attached to a top executive as his Personal Assistant, similar Company Annual Function was held, and all the workers and union leaders were assembled. One 'assumed' leader among workmen called my Officer from a distance as if he was going to share a secret with him. When my officer obliged, he slowly walked away to a corner which was watched by the entire gathering. What was the message shown by him to the crowd? This top executive was in his fold. I suggested next day to my boss that he sou8ld have obliged to his call and asked him to meet him in his cabin later instead. In few days, we received a report about that particular worker collecting money for job in our organization.

Sycophants are highly dangerous.

They can tarnish your image

Entrap and enslave you and your family

Usurp your powers and run shadow management

Spoil the culture of the entire organization

Create commotion among employees and cause mistrust

Gain influence and amass pelf

jeopardize the entire Management System

Spoil work-life balance of the top executives

Sycophants always have selfish ulterior motives

Therefore, it is the rudimental duty of top executives (power centers) to remain cautious about people around them and weed out sycophants among supporters.

Best of Luck.