In an ideal world, merit should be the ultimate currency for success. Talent, hard work, and integrity ought to determine who climbs the ladder and who stays at the bottom. But reality often paints a different picture. The harsh truth is that sycophancy – the art of flattery, manipulation, and aligning oneself with power – frequently outperforms merit in the race for recognition.
History and corporate corridors are filled with examples where those who praised the right people and played the political game rose swiftly, while the truly capable were overlooked. It isn’t that merit doesn’t matter; it does, but in a world ruled by networks, influence, and egos, talent alone is rarely enough. Leaders, being human, are susceptible to validation. They tend to favor those who echo their thoughts and feed their vanity rather than those who challenge them with better ideas.
This creates a system where the genuine thinkers often burn out, and the sycophants thrive. Over time, such environments breed mediocrity because real merit is neither nurtured nor rewarded. The cycle repeats, and the organization or society suffers.
However, this is not a call to embrace sycophancy. Instead, it is a wake-up call for meritocrats to learn the art of influence without compromising their values. Building relationships, emotional intelligence, and tact are vital if merit is to reclaim its place. Otherwise, the world will continue rewarding applause over ability, and flattery over facts