Sycophant?

No Brown-Nosing

 Voice of the day

We will be neither chaplain nor sycophant to our new political leaders. Instead, we seek to be a faithful conscience, serving as a bridge-builder and offering prophetic critique (and pressure) when necessary. 

- Adam Russell Taylor, via sojo.net

Okay, so what is a sycophant? 

A sycophant is a person who tries to win favor from wealthy or influential people by flattering them. Also known as brown-nosers, teacher's pets or suck-ups.

Sycophants can be a disruptive force at work as they ingrain themsleves at work to curry the favor of the boss. According to Psychology Today, A sycophant will have no problem using you as a means to their end. Try to remain as detached and emotionless as possible when you interact with them. Make them stick to the facts. Ignore the praise and flattery and keep every interaction with them focused on the issue at hand.

Deborah Parker, Ph.D. and Mark Parker Ph.D. wrote an article in Psychology today on how to recognize a sycophant. They start with a story.  

One day, when Sultan Mahmud (reigned 998-1010) was hungry, he was brought a dish of eggplant. He liked it very much and said, “Eggplant is an excellent food.” A courtier began to praise the eggplant with great eloquence. When the sultan grew tired of the dish, he said, “Eggplant is a very harmful thing,” whereupon the courtier began to speak in hyperbole of the harmful qualities of the eggplant. “Man alive,” said the sultan, “have you not just uttered the praises of the eggplant?” “Yes,” said the courtier, “but I am your courtier and not the eggplant’s courtier.”

Here's what they came up with:

1. Opinion conformity.  Sycophant imitates your tastes and opinions, often sharing your opinions enthusiastically.

2. Fashion stockers. This is a subtype of mimickers. In the eyes of some, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it can go too far and get creepy. 

3. Self-promotion. This happens often in the workplace where the suck-ups promote themselves unceasingly to impress the boss.

4. Other enhancement.  Be wary of those who flatter their target routinely. It could be a boss, or someone whose circle the person aspires to join. 

5. Kiss up, kick down.  This behavior distinguishes a truly despicable sycophant and is most noticeable in hierarchical situations. Such bootlickers ingratiate themselves to those with whom they are currying favor and abuse those below them, treating perceived underlings dismissively and with contempt.

6. Disagree on small points.  This is particularly wily. The suck-up will only register mild differences of opinion — to show that he or she has some independence of mind — but will always agree on big issues.

Outing the Suck-Up

If you want to out someone you suspect of being a sycophant, express an opinion or preference for something—then change your mind, and see if he or she will do the same.

Sojourners is saying they will continue to hold power to account. 

"It was a stunning preview of how character, honor, and integrity matter immensely for presidential leadership. I pray that in the days ahead, the Biden administration will demonstrate that good governance, sound management, and bold policy change also matter. 

I believe fervently in the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said that “the church is not called to be the master or servant of the state, but to be the conscience of the state.” In that vein, we will be neither chaplain nor sycophant to our new political leaders. Instead, we seek to be a faithful conscience, serving as a bridge-builder and offering prophetic critique (and pressure) when necessary."

Trump drew strength from his sycophants. He shunned anyone who would dare hold him to account. Sojourners is saying, "no more." 

At the very least, public media needs to do the same as we hold our leaders accountable.

IT’S TIME TO BE THE CONSCIENCE OF AMERICAN POLITICS

BY ADAM RUSSELL TAYLOR, JIM SIMPSON, TERRANCE M. MCKINLEY, MELODY ZHANG, PAOLA FUENTES GLEGHORN, ROSE MARIE BERGER