Many employees assume that being candid with the boss is a lose/lose situation: It may provoke retribution, and the boss probably won’t listen anyway. But experiments by Burak Oc of Bocconi University in Italy and two colleagues show that the second part of that calculation, at least, may be false. For example, power holders who received candid feedback allocated to themselves a share of valuable resources (points that were worth money) that was nearly equal to what subordinates got, whereas leaders who received compliant, positive feedback took more than half of the total resources for themselves, with guilt apparently the reason for the behavioural difference. Providing unquestioning, compliant feedback increases power holders’ self-interested tendencies over time, the researchers say.

(Source: Journal of Applied Psychology)

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, April 27th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...