White Lotus and Succession are examples of hate t.v.That is a successful T.V. series in which non of the characters are attractive or deserving of our sympathy. They are rich or are living the life style but they appear to have few redeeming qualities. They deserve what’s happening or about to happen to them. They are either devious with a hidden agenda or weak , deluded and unforgivably naive. You don’t really care what happens to them but you are curious to see who comes out on top. Although you suspect that the most despicable characters will survive and probably prosper. So unlike traditional shows their are no heroes to cheer for and no anti heroes to root for. In the past we wanted the good guy to win. Then we realised that in real life that doesn’t happen very often so we came to like the idea that the main character who did bad things did then for good reasons so it was o.k. to hope they succeeded. Now it appears that we like ultra realism where everyone has character flaws, either exploits others or plays a weak unsympathetic victim, everyone or nearly everyone deserve what happens to them. Is this how the majority view the world they live and work in. Is the workforce increasingly dominated by cynics? Is this the mood of the age , the Zeitgeist. Is this the result of frequent changes and reorganisation, too much emphases on performance and efficiency, constantly urging the workforce to do more , work harder? A macho management culture where bullying and harassment are tolerated as long as they deliver. Where senior management chose not to see the size of the problem. Is the great resignation a reaction to cynicism in the workplace?
What can organisations and their leaders do to tackle cynicism? Don’t accept negativity, don’t let cynical comments go unchallenged. It’s a managers job to be positive even if you don’t feel it. Make sure you praise individuals work, celebrate successes as a team and make sure people feel valued. Recruit leaders with a moral compass who place more emphasis on people and less on money and performance. Be an organisation which takes their corporate social responsibility seriously. An organisation that employees can believe in.
Blair Mcpherson former Director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk
