🔥 The Self-Fulfilling Failure Syndrome: How Managers Unwittingly Contribute to Employee Failures?

Leadership and organizational development experts Jean-François Manzoni and Jean-Louis Barsoux explained in an article for Harvard Business Review a dangerous management phenomenon — the "Set-Up-To-Fail Syndrome."

📌 What is it?
Managers often subconsciously label employees as "weak performers," increase control over them, and reduce trust. This leads to decreased motivation, employee withdrawal, and confirmation of the manager's incorrect expectations.

📌 Key points from the research:
- Up to 90% of managers divide employees into "in-group" and "out-group."
- Increased control is perceived as distrust, leading to disorientation and loss of motivation.
- The process is self-reinforcing — low expectations from the manager exacerbate the problem.

📌 How to fix it?
1️⃣ Acknowledge that the manager's attitude may be part of the problem.
2️⃣ Conduct honest dialogues and identify the real reasons for the employee's poor performance.
3️⃣ Gradually reduce the level of control, setting clear goals and evaluation criteria.
4️⃣ Hold regular discussions about the relationship between manager and subordinate.

❗️ Why is it important to avoid this syndrome?
The syndrome destroys relationships, reduces team productivity, increases burnout, and provokes turnover. Healthy communication with staff is key to building a strong team.

👩‍💻 Data Flow