Chances are, you have a favorite employee. You’re only human, so this is to be expected, but you need to make certain to keep it under wraps and treat everyone equally.
Not sure if you’re playing favorites? It’s hard to be objective with your own behavior, so ask a fellow manager to weigh in.
If you don’t think it’s a big deal to outwardly favor one employee over the rest, you’re sorely mistaken. Here’s what can happen when one person gets special treatment.
Lower Morale
When one employee gets perks and the others don’t, it’s discouraging to the rest of the team. If other employees are working just as hard — or harder, but not reaping the benefits, there’s not much incentive for them to keep trying. This will cause morale to plummet because it doesn’t feel great to watch a colleague constantly get the glory they haven’t earned.
Higher Levels of Turnover
Talented employees know their worth. If the special treatment you give one of their colleagues interferes with their growth — i.e., training opportunities, promotions — they won’t hesitate to leave. Even if you’re able to replace them with equally talented new hires, you’ll probably have trouble retaining them too.
Negative Impact on Your Bottom Line
To remain competitive, you need all hands on deck. However, if employees stop working their hardest or quit en masse, your company will suffer. Even if your favorite employee happens to be the most talented person on the team, they can’t keep your bottom line intact on their own.
Increased Conflict
Tensions are bound to rise when one employee receives special treatment. The rest of the team will likely grow to resent this person, which will make it hard for them to work together. As a result, it will probably be difficult for your team to meet project deadlines and uphold quality standards.
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