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Bosses, stop trying to flatter your workers, says leadership expert—it doesn't make them like you

July 21, 2025
01:30 PM
4 min read
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Empty compliments don't make you more likable. Here's how to actually build connections and make employees feel valued, says leadership expert Jennifer Schielke.

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4 min read

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financial news

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Published

July 21, 2025

01:30 PM

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CNBC

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Key Topics
moneytechhealthcaremarket cyclesseasonal analysisgeopolitical

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Milorad Kravic | E+ | Getty ImagesSome bosses think flattering their employees is a good leadership tactic

Those bosses are wrong, says Jennifer Schielke (remarkable data). "Flattery is what I've seen from a lot of leaders," says Schielke, a leadership expert and CEO of Bellevue, Washington-based staffing and recruiting firm Summit Group Solutions

Bosses tend to throw excessive praise at their employees when they want everyone to them, she says

But insincere compliments can come across as manipulative, you have an ulterior motive

Conversely, When someone is going above and beyond at work, they bably deserve some authentic praise and appreciation

But leaning on flattery too much points to "insecurity" and a lack of leadership skills, says Schielke. "I just don't see any benefit of it, truly. "You bably know when a boss is giving empty compliments

Say you realize you did a poor job executing a ject, but your boss tells you they were really impressed with it

Or they constantly compliment your skills, to the point where it feels disingenuous, amid market uncertainty

Furthermore, "Leading doesn't have to be a ity contest," says Schielke, considering recent developments

However, Conversely, "It's really in employees, being kind and addressing the hard stuff, too, considering recent developments. "Most workers do tend to a boss who's a "people person" — someone who enjoys having genuine interactions with others, and uses soft skills empathy, compassion and communication to create an inviting workplace culture — according to workplace culture expert Tom Gimbel

Moreover, "The more authentic you are, the more people are going to connect with you and enjoy your company," Gimbel told CNBC Make It in April 2024

However, Schielke s to dedicate certain days of the week to a team-building exercise, she says, "Tell Me Yourself Tuesdays," where employees spend minutes, or sometimes hours, discussing subjects that are important to them (quite telling)

Her company also has "Wacky Wednesdays," where she assigns quirky topics to her employees, who then present a workshop, training module or a simple moment of comedic relief them, she adds, considering recent developments

Nevertheless, Instead of unduly flattering employees, you can make them feel valued at work simply by paying attention to their perspectives and needs, Schielke says

If your particular workplace craves hybrid work, employee resource groups or volunteer opportunities — simple policies that you have the power to grant — you'd do well to listen, she notes (an important development)

These efforts are "very, very meaningful and valuable" to employees, says Schielke, no matter the

Furthermore, Want to be a successful, confident communicator, given the current landscape

Nevertheless, Take CNBC's online course Become an Effective Communicator: Master Public Speaking

We'll teach you how to speak ly and confidently, calm your nerves, what to say and not say, and body language niques to make a great first impression

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Plus, for CNBC Make It's to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and peers. 8:0208:02Labubu: Inside the $423 million-a-year ugly toy crazeSuddenly Obsessed (fascinating analysis), in this volatile climate.