"Teach Yourself to Avoid Favoritism,"

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--- MANAGEMENT TIP FOR MAY 14, 2008 ---

ARE YOU CREATING SUCK-UPS?

Everybody hates suck-ups, especially when they get ahead in the workplace. But
many leaders unconsciously create an environment that teaches people to be
sycophants. How? They give positive personal recognition to direct reports who
like them -- and who remind them of themselves.

We all can fall into this trap. And the higher we move up the corporate ladder,
the bigger the trap gets. To sidestep it, ask yourself whether you're giving
more recognition to employees who like you and who are like you. Consciously
work to recognize people based on a different criterion: doing what's right for
the company -- not making you feel good about yourself.

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Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Teach Yourself to Avoid Favoritism," by
Marshall Goldsmith on his Harvard Business.org blog "Ask the Coach."

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