Sexual Attraction and Managerial Decision Making
The ability to make objective and impartial decisions is essential for managers and supervisors.
There are instances where personal feelings can interfere with their judgment. Sexual attraction is one such factor that can cloud the mind and affect professional choices. This essay explores how sexual attraction impacts decision making.
How Does Sexual Attraction Affect Managerial Decisions?
When someone finds another person attractive, they may be more inclined to favor them in certain situations.
If a manager has a crush on an employee, they might feel tempted to give them preferential treatment when it comes to promotions or raises. They could also choose to assign tasks to this person that increase their visibility within the company.
The manager may avoid confronting the employee about issues that would otherwise require disciplinary action. These actions can create an uneven playing field within the workplace, which can lead to resentment from other employees who do not receive similar consideration.
Can Managers Overcome Their Feelings?
Some argue that managers can overcome their personal feelings towards an employee by focusing on the job at hand.
This approach requires immense self-control and discipline. It's challenging to maintain objectivity while feeling romantic or sexual attraction towards someone you manage.
Ignoring these emotions doesn't solve the underlying problem; the manager must address why they have developed romantic feelings in the first place. It is also unrealistic to expect managers to repress their feelings entirely, as they are only human.
Sexual attraction does compromise the objectivity and impartiality of managerial decisions. Managers must strive to remain professional even when they find themselves attracted to an employee. This means avoiding special treatment and being transparent in their decision-making process. Managers should also seek support from colleagues or HR professionals if they struggle to manage their emotions.
Recognizing and acknowledging sexual attraction is crucial for creating a healthy and productive work environment.
Can sexual attraction compromise the objectivity and impartiality of managerial decisions?
Sexual attraction can lead to favoritism which may influence managerial decision making. Sexual favoritism can occur when managers show preferential treatment to an employee based on their gender or personal relationship. Research shows that sexual favoritism is linked to increased turnover rates as employees who feel discriminated against are more likely to leave the organization. The presence of sexual attraction can also make it difficult for managers to maintain professional boundaries with subordinates.