The Set-Up-To-Fail Syndrome

Jean-Francois Manzoni & Jean-Louis Barsoux

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Does this scenario sound familiar? An employee you manage slips up somehow: a missed deadline, a lost account, or a weak presentation. You decide to oversee that person's work more closely. After all, if your direct reports aren't delivering, it's your head that will roll. To further your frustration, the more you 'help', the worse the employee's performance becomes. What's going on? In this eye-opening book, leadership experts Jean Francois Manzoni and Jean Louis Barsoux expose a disturbing and surprisingly rampant phenomenon. While common wisdom assumes that so-called poor performers fail in spite of their boss' best efforts, this book demonstrates exactly the opposite. In many cases, a boss' attitudes and behaviors actually cause or 'set up' certain individuals including those with great potential to fail. Based on ten years of study into boss subordinate relationships, Manzoni and Barsoux show that this Set-Up-to-Fail Syndrome is not confined to relationships with the proverbial 'boss from hell'. Even respected leaders, whether CEOs, teachers, or coaches get caught up in it.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The book discusses how a manager's negative expectations of an employee can inadvertently lead to poor performance. This self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when the manager's belief influences the employee's behavior and performance.

  2. Negative Impact: Employees subjected to the set-up-to-fail syndrome often experience demotivation, decreased job satisfaction, and a decline in performance, further reinforcing the manager's negative perceptions.

  3. Managerial Biases: The authors explore various biases that contribute to this syndrome, such as confirmation bias (seeking evidence that confirms pre-existing beliefs) and selective perception (focusing on specific traits or behaviors that align with preconceived notions).

  4. Unconscious Behavior: Many managers may not realize they are falling into this pattern, as it often stems from subconscious biases rather than intentional actions.

  5. Breaking the Cycle: The book offers strategies for managers to break this detrimental cycle. This includes becoming aware of biases, actively seeking diverse perspectives, providing constructive feedback, and fostering an environment of trust and support.

  6. Communication and Expectations: Clear and open communication between managers and employees is crucial. Setting realistic and positive expectations can help prevent the negative impact of this syndrome.

  7. Rebuilding Trust: Once an employee has been affected by the set-up-to-fail syndrome, rebuilding trust and confidence can be challenging. The book discusses approaches for managers to regain trust and empower employees to succeed.

  8. Organizational Impact: The book highlights the broader impact of this syndrome on the organization, such as decreased morale, increased turnover, and a culture of distrust.

  9. Managerial Development: It emphasizes the importance of managerial training and development to help leaders recognize and overcome biases, fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

  10. Case Studies and Examples: The book might include case studies and real-world examples to illustrate how the set-up-to-fail syndrome manifests in different workplace scenarios and industries.

Language English
ISBN-13 9781422102848
No of pages 280
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Harvard Business Review Press
Published Date 01 Jan 2007

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