Flattering your boss (are you doing it right?)

According to Harvard Business Review, there’s a strategy to “sucking up.” This month’s business psychology spotlight examined the success rates of flattery. The conclusion? Firstly, successful flattery takes skill. Secondly, the employee’s perceived sincerity is critical. In other words — if you’re trying to flatter your superiors, do it wisely and with tact. Otherwise, you could be in for lower job performance ratings (or at least some awkward silence).

Most of the observations seem like common sense. Researchers found that when “politically unskilled employees flatter,” their flattery is very obvious to the boss. [Translation: successful flattery depends on who is doing it].

They also found that “if a superior perceives a subordinate’s flattery as a ploy to get ahead, she’ll rate the employee lower on job performance.” [Translation: if your boss thinks your flattery has an ulterior motive, she’s not going to buy it].

Lastly, they concluded that “if a superior is fooled into thinking the sentiments are sincere, the supervisor rates the complimenter higher.” [Translation: if your boss thinks you truly mean it, she’ll give you brownie points.]

The message? When it comes to flattering your boss, either do it well or don’t do it at all.

Obviously there are risks & rewards of flattering your boss. Interestingly, the study revealed that compliments work with customers regardless of whether the flattery was obvious. So what do you think? Was this HBR column helpful, or merely common sense? Have you used flattery in the workplace, and has it been effective?
- Alex