"There's a world in which being cynical is a strength at work. It gives you the ability to plan and prepare and defend yourself against what might come. But psychology also tells us that being too cynical can erode trust and our relationships with each other."
"In Edelman's 2022 Trust Barometer, nearly 60% of respondents across 27 countries reported that their default is to distrust others. Over the past few decades, trust in not just our peers, but also our political leaders, institutions, and corporations has plummeted."
"Unfortunately, that kind of cynicism can have really negative consequences for both the people who feel that way and the workplaces in which they're employed."
Cynicism has become increasingly prevalent in workplaces, with nearly 60% of people across 27 countries defaulting to distrust of others. While cynicism can seem protective by encouraging preparation and defense, psychology demonstrates that excessive cynicism damages trust, relationships, and organizational health. Trust in peers, leaders, institutions, and corporations has declined significantly over recent decades. Jamil Zaki, a Stanford psychology professor, examines this phenomenon and its negative consequences for both individuals and their workplaces. Understanding cynicism's definition and mechanisms is essential for developing effective strategies to counteract this workplace toxicity and restore healthier organizational cultures.
#workplace-cynicism #trust-and-relationships #organizational-culture #psychology-of-leadership #toxicity-management
Read at Harvard Business Review
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