In the workplace, colleagues can be subject to many temptations that may affect their performance. Among them are romantic relationships between co-workers that often lead to breakups and resignations from one side.
There is another kind of attraction that also undermines productivity: the idealization of physically attractive coworkers. This phenomenon is called physical attractiveness bias, and it has been extensively studied in social psychology. In general terms, when people see someone they find physically attractive, their brains release chemicals such as dopamine, which enhances brain activity related to reward and pleasure. As a result, the person who sees an attractive colleague may become distracted from his/her professional duties, leading to a decrease in productivity and objectivity. The problem does not stop here. In this article, I will explain how the idealization of attractive colleagues can shape unrealistic expectations and impact both individuals' personal and professional lives.
We must clarify what is meant by "unrealistic expectations". Unrealistic expectations refer to demands or desires for something that is impossible or highly unlikely. When an individual experiences a sense of attraction towards a colleague, they usually imagine a perfect relationship with him/her based on emotions rather than rationality.
They might think about having sex at work, being flirtatious, or even asking them out on a date. These expectations could lead to disappointment if the attraction goes unrequited, leading to feelings of frustration and rejection.
Unrealistic expectations influence our decisions and behavior without us realizing it. If an employee constantly thinks about their crush during working hours, they are likely to make more mistakes than usual because they cannot concentrate properly on tasks. In addition, they may be tempted to act inappropriately, such as sending suggestive messages or making sexual comments to the object of desire. This behavior could damage their reputation within the organization and jeopardize their chances of promotion or career advancement.
When someone has unrealistic expectations toward another person, they tend to ignore the negative aspects of the relationship, which could result in them staying in a toxic situation longer than necessary.
Physical attraction bias affects objective decision-making processes. We often rely on first impressions to form opinions about others, so when faced with an attractive colleague, we might perceive them as better professionals than those who do not meet this criterion. As a consequence, managers might promote individuals due to their looks instead of merit, creating an unfair environment for other employees who have worked harder and deserve recognition. Moreover, supervisors might favor attractive coworkers over less attractive ones, assigning them higher-quality projects or giving them more responsibilities. In other words, when leaders idealize physically beautiful workers, they are more prone to subjectivity and prejudice.
The idealization of an attractive colleague shapes unrealistic expectations and distorts professional objectivity. It can lead to poor performance at work, damaged personal relationships, and unfair practices within organizations. Therefore, it is crucial that managers and employees learn how to control these biases and focus on what really matters: skills, experience, competence, and dedication. Only then will we be able to create a fairer and more efficient workplace where everyone has equal opportunities regardless of appearance.
How does the idealization of an attractive colleague shape unrealistic expectations and distort professional objectivity?
Idealizing an attractive colleague can shape unrealistic expectations by creating an exaggerated perception of their abilities and qualifications. This can lead to distorted judgments of their performance and influence decision-making processes, such as hiring and promotion decisions. Furthermore, it can also affect one's work environment and relationships with other colleagues, causing tension and disruption.