But What Have You Done for Me Lately?

Workers take caring bosses for granted, says IMD study

Caring bosses who help employees with their personal and work problems shouldn’t expect gratitude, loyalty, and commitment in return, new research has warned. According to a study by Switzerland-based business school, IMD, most managers believe offering emotional support will benefit their company. Yet most employees simply view such shows of kindness as part of their superiors’ duties and have no intention of working any harder as a result.

The study suggests that bosses who lend a helping hand must manage their own expectations because they may find themselves frustrated with their staff’s lack of appreciation.

“Managers and employees alike appreciate that controlling negative emotions can be important within an organization,” says IMD researcher Ginka Toegel. “But it seems there’s a marked difference in how the two parties believe this sort of support should be perceived, and how bosses think employees should respond to it.

…

Want to continue?

By logging in you agree to receive communication from Quality Digest. Privacy Policy.

Create a FREE account

Forgot My Password

Comments

And what have you done for me, AT ALL?

Just like a supply chain, there are employers - employees chains, or links. This IMD study just scratches the surface of human relationships: in a world where employers ask for more and more employees' skills and commitment, it's only natural that the latter expect just the same from their "aboves". No employee will ever believe in a caring boss unless he or she is naive, because cry wolf is the message any employee gets when thinking of a boss. Like all humans, employees are revengeful people, even more so nowadays, with TV everyday trumpeting increasing unemployment.

Treating others well

The article seemed slightly jaded and the first response even more so. Treating others with kindness and compassion should not about expecting a return. Some people respond to kindness and other do not. This is how life works, not just at work either. If you do the right thing, someone will notice and it does make a difference...and you might never find out how or why. Doing the right thing and treating others with kindness and consideration is its own reward.