Sycophant meaning - A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people( Wikipedia)
When we look around we find most people currying favors with someone or the other for their own benefit. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it has become a way of life with us Indians and probably elsewhere in the world as well !
Of course Politicians are experts at that because for them the gains and losses are much more compared to us less mortals...
Can anyone of us say that we have never used this method to get our work done?
It may have been be direct ,subtle or indirect method of flattery , but I feel that we all would have done it at some stage of our life or the other ...please add your views !
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However painful the fact may be,it has to be accepted that sycophantic trait does manifest itself in in our characters. If a person like Dr. Manmohan Singh could not free himself from this, leave alone average mortals! :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy:
Thats true ! all said and done, Manmohan Singh was a respected Bureaucrat who was happy to function at that level, but the moment he entered active politics he lost his stature and standing ...
The ambitious and result oriented will do anything to get results and succeed. This includes sycophancy also. Most would indulge in this practice more or less. There may be some exceptions, who are idealist. Generally, they are failure in life.
I suppose so, but again that is relative isn't it ? how do we measure failure and success ? Taking Manmohan Singh's example - a PM of one of the largest democracies ,but personally losing out on all the adulation and respect that he had before ...
Ordinary folks look upon this as passports to success for obvious reasons. But what is very interesting is the fact that persons being fawned upon like it more to their disadvantage or even destruction.
Sycophancy is a skill and art. If this is too open, very purpose gets defeated. a successful sycophant will some times even mildly criticize and disagree but will soon skillfully admit that he is wrong.
Ordinary folks look upon this as passports to success for obvious reasons. But what is very interesting is the fact that persons being fawned upon like it more to their disadvantage or even destruction.
Sycophancy is a skill and art. If this is too open, very purpose gets defeated. a successful sycophant will some times even mildly criticize and disagree but will soon skillfully admit that he is wrong.
That is most evident in the case of politicians, we see many of the Tamilnadu assembly MPs and MLAs falling at Jayalalitha's feet and she seems to like it going by her expressions !! ;) I wonder how a person can stoop to that level, some of them are older than her and they still do it ...
I agree that to be a successful sycophant, you also have to have some basic skills , so that your real intention is not shown...
Ordinary folks look upon this as passports to success for obvious reasons. But what is very interesting is the fact that persons being fawned upon like it more to their disadvantage or even destruction.
Sycophancy is a skill and art. If this is too open, very purpose gets defeated. a successful sycophant will some times even mildly criticize and disagree but will soon skillfully admit that he is wrong.
That is most evident in the case of politicians, we see many of the Tamilnadu assembly MPs and MLAs falling at Jayalalitha's feet and she seems to like it going by her expressions !! ;) I wonder how a person can stoop to that level, some of them are older than her and they still do it ...
I agree that to be a successful sycophant, you also have to have some basic skills , so that your real intention is not shown...
The bureaucrats are expert in the art. They will praise their boss more among others than boss or the person whom they actually target. They know what they say even to others will come to knowledge of concerned person. The sycophants always pose as well wisher. They please not only boss but also his family.
"Whenever you commend, add your reasons for doing so; it is this which distinguishes the approbation of a man of sense from the flattery of sycophants and admiration of fools."
-Sir Richard Steele
This is what the most sycophants do, and the one they are honeying up to never are suspicious of such motives of their sycophants but are very happy in that!
-Sir Richard Steele
This is what the most sycophants do, and the one they are honeying up to never are suspicious of such motives of their sycophants but are very happy in that!
This is some thing I could never catch although I suffered in my life. I would rather stay away but this is not my way. This is game of the incompetent. They do it to hide their weakness and exploit others weaknesses as well.
Mere efficiency and competence does not usually work. You may not be sycophant but still you need be courteous and tactful enough so as to be on right side of the persons who matter. Sycophancy alone helps no body. They are successful only if they are also efficient and skillful in addition.
As long as a person is Courteous ,tactful,diplomatic also hard work , a little bit of flattery is acceptable since we would all do it ...Like for example, if I have to speak to my head master about something that would help me, I would be my polite best inspite of not really agreeing with him on most issues ... But when it s a question of selling your soul to get monetary benefits,power disregarding other factors then one begins to have doubts about the persons intentions :blink:
As long as a person is Courteous ,tactful,diplomatic also hard work , a little bit of flattery is acceptable since we would all do it ...Like for example, if I have to speak to my head master about something that would help me, I would be my polite best inspite of not really agreeing with him on most issues ... But when it s a question of selling your soul to get monetary benefits,power disregarding other factors then one begins to have doubts about the persons intentions :blink:
This is okay. One must not degrade himself and compromise with his conscience for any material benefits. Christ rightly said: How will a man be benefited if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul.
I guess we all use mild flattery from time to time....at times it also gives an ego boost to children or even our maids and others..it is the intention that counts !
True, a mild flattery is used by almost all of us from time to time, but when it is made the way of living by some, then it becomes a nuisance for others. Especially while working a person who is genuine and works hard and is briliiant often gets waylaid in favor of ones who are sycophants of their bosses. :( That is so unfair!
I guess we all use mild flattery from time to time....at times it also gives an ego boost to children or even our maids and others..it is the intention that counts !
True, a mild flattery is used by almost all of us from time to time, but when it is made the way of living by some, then it becomes a nuisance for others. Especially while working a person who is genuine and works hard and is briliiant often gets waylaid in favor of ones who are sycophants of their bosses. :( That is so unfair!
True but this seems to be the life of most these days. They find their way to success even while playing boss's children, a perfect way of flattery. Some say that the way to success goes through the hours you spend buttering the boss rather working sincerely.
I guess we all use mild flattery from time to time....at times it also gives an ego boost to children or even our maids and others..it is the intention that counts !
True, a mild flattery is used by almost all of us from time to time, but when it is made the way of living by some, then it becomes a nuisance for others. Especially while working a person who is genuine and works hard and is briliiant often gets waylaid in favor of ones who are sycophants of their bosses. :( That is so unfair!
True but this seems to be the life of most these days. They find their way to success even while playing boss's children, a perfect way of flattery. Some say that the way to success goes through the hours you spend buttering the boss rather working sincerely.
Yes it is, but it is frustrating when you don't belong to that category! :(
I guess we all use mild flattery from time to time....at times it also gives an ego boost to children or even our maids and others..it is the intention that counts !
True, a mild flattery is used by almost all of us from time to time, but when it is made the way of living by some, then it becomes a nuisance for others. Especially while working a person who is genuine and works hard and is briliiant often gets waylaid in favor of ones who are sycophants of their bosses. :( That is so unfair!
True but this seems to be the life of most these days. They find their way to success even while playing boss's children, a perfect way of flattery. Some say that the way to success goes through the hours you spend buttering the boss rather working sincerely.
Yes it is, but it is frustrating when you don't belong to that category! :(
I didn't have to - 'cause I headed the department and there was no way I could replace the director. :( :(
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kiran8
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Monday, 13 August 2012 04:26
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Tuesday, 30 November -0001 00:00
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