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Sycophancy or efficiency, that’s the question

Let us not be oblivious of the fact that sycophancy subverts transparency whereas efficiency promotes it. Persons involved in either politics or in administration need to appreciate that maladministration creeps in and efficiency subsides when the practice of sycophancy is widespread.

Syed Naquib Muslim
ALONG with corruption, another malady that pervades our body politic and society is sycophancy. Sycophancy is a vile verbal an of showering false admiration on others. It is used as a means to achieve unethical private interests. The word originates from "Sycophantes," the Greek god who used to teach the art of flattery. However, throughout the world, dishonest politicians and inefficient bureaucrats seem to have inherited this art from the royal poets who once used to flatter kings and queens, and then earn income out of this manipulative art.
Today, sycophancy is considered as one of the symptoms of maladministration. It is spreading like wildfire in every sphere of our life. It is observed that persons who are inefficient, corrupt, dishonest, and greedy
usually practice this art to fulfill their unlawful ends. At the workplaces, supervisors who are unsure and suffer from a sense of insecurity enjoy being flattered by workers who want to hide their inefficiency and lazines, which ultimately affects the image of the organisation.
It is unfortunate and discouraging that in our country a few politicians and administrators have become insensitive to the foul games of flatterers and are helping them flourish. Consequently, efficient persons who are not in habit of showering undue praise on incompetent superiors find themselves marginalised.
While US has set up a culture of efficiency at homes and workplaces, Japan has introduced a culture of trust and teamwork in offices and factories, Singapore has created a culture of quality, and Malaysia has installed a culture of ethical values both in the public and the private sector, Bangladesh seems have installed a culture of sycophancy, where sycophants apply Gresham's law and drive efficient people "out of circulation."
The services of honest and competent people are not being used for public welfare.
It seems that sycophancy is in great
demand and, therefore, its supply is continuous. It is liked mostly by incompetent people who have a hunger for receiving false praise. Flattery is used as a tool by incompetent people to consolidate their survival, but genuine appreciation is in short supply. We should not forget that former presi-
dent Ershad's inglorious exit was quickened by a band of sycophants who never revealed the real state of affairs in the country to him, and who contributed little to the welfare of the people.
We learn from history that the noted poet Voltaire was sacked by Frederick William, the king of Prussia, because the poet corrected a poem written in French by the king. Therefore, every government, every organisation needs a host of people who can expose the ground realities of life and help the leaders in making pragmatic decisions that affect the lives of common people. The leaders, including ministers, have to identify the sycophants who praise the personality but not the performance. We should remember the words of Harry S. Truman: "Sincerity, honesty, and a direct manner are more important than special talent or personal polishing."
Both the flatterer and the flattered remain complacent and happy; they never seek knowledge. They do not like to be informed; they rather prefer ignorance because to them ignorance is blissful. If, somehow, they can coerce votes from the powerless, innocent electorate, they can secure political shelter in the inefficient, incapable parties that have mastered the art of
continuously befooling the public.
Let us not be oblivious of the fact that sycophancy subverts transparency whereas efficiency promotes it. Persons involved in either politics or in administration need to appreciate that maladministration creeps in and efficiency subsides when the practice of sycophancy is widespread.
It is high time that we began putting up a strong resistance against those who are trying to hoodwink the responsible politicians and exploit welfare-oriented administrators through cheap flattery and no work. The efficient persons in the’society must unite to eliminate the parasitic sycophants; their days must be numbered.
The price of sycophancy is too heavy. The nation is incurring losses, economic and intellectual, because of the culture of sycophancy. One way to disempower the sycophants is to educate the public and acquaint them with the rules and laws of government. Another way to abolish this unhealthy culture is to introduce the practice of self-monitoring by leaders at all levels, thereby reinforcing their strengths, and taking corrective measures to overcome their weaknesses.
Syed Naquib Muslim, Ph D is a Secretary to the Government (on LPR).