We’re all human. And as we know, humans are not perfect and can make errors at times. Therefore, being a leader naturally means you may make mistakes of your own. The key here is to avoid falling into certain leadership traps. I’m referring to the type of missteps that can cause heightened workplace turmoil and elicit poor job performance.
Believe it or not, one common trap leaders fall prey to is playing favorites among their employees, often unknowingly. Just know that it should be avoided at all costs.
Let’s face it. It’s human nature to have preferences. For example, when you’re a workplace leader, you may prefer something about one team member over another. It requires a certain amount of self-awareness on your part to recognize that you have this partiality. Then, you must take steps to ensure it doesn’t affect how you manage. One way is to consider the qualities or work strengths that your other team members possess then, remind yourself of what you appreciate about them. In other words, strive to be an emotionally intelligent leader.
Conducting yourself as an effective and emotionally intelligent leader entails inspiring strong work performances among ALL your employees. You can accomplish this feat by showing equal consideration and regard for all who work for you. For example, you wouldn’t give better assignments to certain direct reports simply because you have a more affable rapport with some over others. Instead, assignments you make should be based on an employee’s ability to do the assignment well or on a project-based criteria such as timeline, workload, and other related factors.
In fact, the ramifications of playing favorites can be quite extensive. The significant workplace issues that arise from this type of ineffectual leadership include:
- Creating jealousy among employees, which can distract them from their work and lead to low morale
- Supporting an environment where employees are unfairly promoted to positions they have not earned
- Disenfranchising employees who are a better fit for positions that you gave to favorites
- Sending signals to the favorite that you may be romantically interested, which can lead to an enormity of issues, including claims of harassment whether romance was your intent or not
- Other leaders questioning your ability to do your job properly, which can affect your job security
- Jobs performed poorly by the favorite who was not qualified for the work or by the disenfranchised employee who is upset about their treatment at work
True, we’re all human . . . those of us in leadership positions too. However, that affords zero excuse for playing favorites among team members whom you directly manage. Not only could it lead to immense workplace issues and tensions, but it could ultimately even torpedo your career.
After all, remaining above board is all part of being a leader . . . and keeping your job, too!
