If you get on with your boss you’re more likely to lie for them, says science
Benefits to be had
Research shows there are huge benefits for both companies and individuals when employees have good relationships with their managers, including a positive effect on their physicaland mental well-being. People who have strong relationships with their bosses also tend to perform better at work, spread goodwill further across the rest of the organization, and are more supportive of their peers – not to mention experiencing greater job satisfaction and developing a higher level of commitment to their company.
So bosses must put measures in place if they want to both cultivate strong bonds with the people who work for them and ensure that they act ethically and uphold strong company values. They must make it clear that lying, cheating, or doing anything else to protect their manager is neither allowed nor appreciated. Bosses must make it clear that they, nor anyone else in the company, sees this as a positive behavior that demonstrates loyalty.
And when bosses do observe this kind of behavior (even if it’s on a small scale), they must immediately bring it to the worker’s attention and perhaps even accompany it with a meaningful sanction in order to demonstrate the importance of not acting that way. Employees should also realize their potential to do the wrong thing in a misguided act of loyalty towards their boss – and avoid it.
Strong workplace relationships are always beneficial, particularly in the current climate of anxiety brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, even so, these relationships should be the basis of more ethical, not unethical, behavior.
This article is republished fromThe ConversationbyJennifer Jordan, Professor of Leadership & Organizational Behavior,International Institute for Management Development (IMD)andTim Vriend, Assistant Professor, Economics and Business,University of Groningenunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.
Story byThe Conversation
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