Flattering the boss at work may propel employees' careers forward, but it also drains self-control resources, heightening the risk of misconduct on the job, according to new research. Flattery is one tactic among many that workers use to craft and sustain a favorable image. Prior studies confirm that mastering these impression management strategies yields real perks, like improved performance reviews.
The researchers tracked how 75 professionals in China applied two boss-focused impression management tactics—ingratiation and self-promotion—across two work weeks.
Ingratiation, often called flattery, includes praising the supervisor, echoing their views, and offering favors. Self-promotion involves claiming credit for wins, boasting about accomplishments, and name-dropping key connections.
Participants—mid-level executives at a major publicly traded software firm—filled out daily diary entries on their work experiences and completed a political skills assessment. Political skills encompass the interpersonal savvy to read people, influence outcomes toward personal goals, and handle social dynamics with poise.
Findings showed ingratiation levels fluctuated daily. Heavier use of it left employees' self-control more depleted by day's end.
“Ingratiation is taxing because pulling it off convincingly demands sincerity—which takes serious self-control,” noted the lead researcher.
Resource-depleted staff were prone to deviance like rudeness to colleagues, ditching meetings, or mindless web surfing during work hours. Self-promotion showed no such drain.
Ingratiation proved less draining for those high in political skills, who also resisted deviance better post-impression management. This suggests political acumen buffers against flattery's toll.
