What Happens When Bosses Heap Praise Only on Their ‘Stars’?
A ‘culture of geniuses’ destroys collaboration and undermines the contributions of those considered not the geniuses. What’s a boss, or teacher, to do about it?
![A young man looks unhappy as he sits at his desk in an office and looks at her computer.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkuRQjJXcjZ9kBJc4t7Ea3-415-80.jpg)
“Matt” emailed this question: “Do you know something I can read that would help me deal with an issue several of my employees have raised? They tell me that I am favoring the stars in our company — similar to teacher’s pets — instead of encouraging everyone to shine.”
In fact, I do have a recommendation. I’ve just read an advance copy of Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations by Indiana University psychology professor Mary C. Murphy, who I had the pleasure of interviewing recently. Her book comes out on March 12, 2024.
It is right on point for Matt and explores how people who are in positions of power — structurally or institutionally — create cultures of genius, where the “stars” alone advance, vs cultures of growth, where everyone is encouraged to develop their abilities and creativity.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Murphy has done extensive research in growth mindset theory, which is somewhat controversial, and questions have been raised as to its scientific repeatability. Regardless, I found Cultures of Growth an inspiring read that offers concrete steps to enhance personal creativity and development, and they apply to many aspects of daily life.
Her writing style is welcoming and made me feel as if she were sitting across the table from me and we were just having a chat. Her book is an example of how to keep a reader engaged.
When we talked, I asked Murphy to list some of the things that we do, as parents, teachers and in the business world, that stifle creativity and personal development. Her list:
1. We tend to figure out what our strengths are, things that come easy to us, and then concentrate only on those.
Consequences: You remain in the same rut and are not encouraged to explore ways to stretch yourself, to innovate, to accept new ideas and approaches and integrate them.
2. We stereotype people — ourselves included — and decide that's just who they are. For example, “He’s no good at math.”
Consequences: You slam the door shut on the ability to learn something new by thinking, for example, “He’ll never be good with numbers. I better find someone else who can do math.”
3. We create a culture of genius in which the stars can horde information and pit people against one another. Stars are anointed as the most creative, and everyone worships them and wants to be friends only with them, not with others who have not demonstrated star power.
Consequences: Everyone will think that creativity comes only from this genius group and that they are infallible. Because creativity comes only from them, you have snuffed out a culture of growth.
4. We make the environment toxic, where admitting a mistake, having a dissenting opinion or challenging ideas is frowned upon, especially for people who want to collaborate and work with their colleagues instead of competing with them.
Consequences: This ensures that mistakes and other shortcomings will be hidden.
Your people will not take risks or have new ideas amid high-stakes evaluation and feedback that's focused only on outcomes. Praising people only for their smarts and their effortless perfect performance makes everyone feel that they're only as good as their last performance.
5. Caring only about the standouts makes others think that we really don’t care so much about them because “we know you’re not as good.” Someone who makes an honest effort isn’t appreciated.
Consequences: Motivation, learning and the desire to actually improve are all stifled. Employees think that if it looks like they have to try hard, bosses will think they don't have the requisite or innate skills, ability and talent for this thing. Employees end up thinking maybe this line of work isn’t for them.
6. We solicit ideas for improvement only from those deemed geniuses, making their contributions and ideas seem unquestionable and infallible.
Consequences: This creates a culture of anti-creativity where new ideas aren’t welcomed and the ideas that come from the identified geniuses aren’t questioned. Higher-ups will never see that workers not considered standouts might have something of great value to offer.
7. We identify the prototype for geniuses and then search, recruit and retain only people who match those characteristics.
Consequences: This narrows the search, eliminating qualified people who might have different perspectives on gender and race and who have a different background, education and work history. That is really going to stifle creativity.
8. We assume new team members have all the requisite skills and knowledge they need to jump right into the deep end.
Consequences: Without providing onboarding, developmental opportunities or ongoing training, new employees will struggle to understand what the team is doing and what their contributions to it should be.
We don’t have to buy into every aspect of mindset theory to find something very positive in what Murphy has to say. For those in power, it’s important to remember that prejudging is destructive.
Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield, Calif., and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1@gmail.com. And be sure to visit dennisbeaver.com.
related content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
After attending Loyola University School of Law, H. Dennis Beaver joined California's Kern County District Attorney's Office, where he established a Consumer Fraud section. He is in the general practice of law and writes a syndicated newspaper column, "You and the Law." Through his column he offers readers in need of down-to-earth advice his help free of charge. "I know it sounds corny, but I just love to be able to use my education and experience to help, simply to help. When a reader contacts me, it is a gift."
-
Visa Is the Worst Dow Stock Wednesday. Here's Why
Visa stock is down sharply Wednesday after the credit card company came up short of revenue expectations for its fiscal Q3.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Another Analyst Moves to the Sidelines on Tesla Stock After Earnings
Tesla stock is spiraling Wednesday after the EV maker's big earnings miss and Wall Street has been quick to weigh in. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Confused by Annuities? Making Sense of the Different Types
Many investors aren't sure if annuities are a good option for meeting financial goals. Let's look at the different categories, along with their pros and cons.
By Kris Maksimovich, AIF®, CRPC®, CPFA®, CRC® Published
-
Talkin' 'Bout My Generational Wealth: Baby Boomers
With retirement, each generation has different priorities and challenges. For Baby Boomers, it's a matter of ready or not, here it comes.
By Alvina Lo Published
-
How to Avoid a Big Hassle if Your Financed Car Gets Wrecked
How an insurance check is made out for repairs can cause a world of problems if the lienholder is left out.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
Estate Planning Strategies to Consider as Election Nears
Are big changes in tax laws coming soon? Not likely, but you might want to take advantage of higher estate and gift tax exemptions well before the end of 2025.
By David Handler, J.D. Published
-
How to Get Your Money's Worth From Your Financial Adviser
A good financial adviser will focus on how your financial planning and investment strategy align with your lifestyle and aspirations.
By Pam Krueger Published
-
Think of Prenups and Postnups as Financial Planning Tools
These contracts provide a clear framework for asset management and protection and are especially useful if you get married later in life.
By Andrew Hatherley, CDFA®, CRPC® Published
-
Congratulations on Your Raise: Three Things to Do With It
We're not saying you shouldn't spend it on a new car, but there are some considerations to guard against lifestyle creep and to help ensure a comfy retirement.
By Andrew Rosen, CFP®, CEP Published
-
Check Off These Four Financial Tasks to Finish 2024 Strong
The new year is a popular time to set financial goals, but now is the ideal time to check how you're doing. Four tweaks could make a big difference.
By Daniel Razvi, Esquire Published