Using manager mystique for professional gain in the workplace

It is easy for mid-level employees to view the work of upper management or a CEO as easy, or their success as pure luck. While the lower-level workers dedicate long hours to putting the finishing touches on marketing projects or data entry, upper management simply broadcasts the end results and is praised for their visionary achievements.

A lot of this unwarranted depreciation may come from the mystique that surrounds the work ethic of many managers. Often times, upper management neglects to showcase the amount of work they actually put into the success of projects. This form of censorship may cause many employees to view their CEO or manager as one who simply reaps the benefits of their staff's hard work.

Recently, Maia Young, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, measured and tested her hypothesis that managers who hide their efforts often receive different reputations than those employers who broadcast their part in projects.

In the study, "Managerial Mystique: Magical Thinking in Judgements of Managers' Vision, Charisma and Magnetism," researchers found that when employees aren't aware of the means by which a leader's success is achieved, they tend to view that person as charismatic and visionary. This mystique could cause workers to view their employer as lucky, rather than hardworking.

However, a lot goes into how a manager asserts his or her authority in a business. Their decision making often determines how successful a project or workforce is long term. From the early stages, when employers partner with creative staffing services to bring on new team members to further guidance when a project beings to run off course, a manger can choose to either show his or her efforts or cover them up. In many ways, having a balanced approach and choosing to broadcast work ethic in certain situations could provide ample motivation for employees who believe their skills are unmatched or unnoticed.

Managers who want to run a successful business may want to carefully monitor their reputations in the workplace. If employees feel like their boss does not carry his or her own weight, the office culture may begin to suffer and deter workers from performing to the best of their ability. While a boss or manager has likely earned his or her position through hard work, failing to show their steadfast belief in the business and their work ethic may hinder their future success as a manager.

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