Set-up-to-Fail Syndrome: Overcoming the Undertow of Expectations

by Jean-François Manzoni, Jean-Louis Barsoux

Do you have an employee whose performance keeps deteriorating—despite your close monitoring? Brace yourself: You may be at fault—by unknowingly triggering the set-up-to-fail syndrome. Perhaps things started off swimmingly. But then something--a missed deadline, a lost client—made you question the person's performance. You began micromanaging him. Suspecting your reduced confidence, he started doubting himself—and stopped giving his best. You viewed his new behavior as additional proof of mediocrity, and tightened the screws further. In The Set-Up-to-Fail Syndrome , Jean-Francois Manzoni and Jean-Louis Barsoux show how this insidious cycle hurts everyone: employees stop volunteering ideas, preventing your organization from getting the most from them; you lose energy to attend to other activities; and your reputation suffers as other employees deem you unfair. Team spirit wilts as targeted performers are alienated. But the set-up-to-fail syndrome doesn't have to happen. The authors provide preventive measures, such as loosening the reins as new employees master their jobs. If the syndrome has already erupted, Manzoni and Barsoux explain how to discuss the dynamic with your employee and reverse the cycle.

Genres: Business

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Michael Bolls · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent review of why some manager-employee relationships can spiral downward. A and B examines some of the causes, and solutions, to such toxic relationships.

In this short read, the authors urge managers to look at the effects they may have upon their own employees. The authors also encourage managers to examine their biases how they affect others. Also, they showcase the self-fulfilling prophecy low expectations can cause to employees.

Another plus for this book is that they don't claim this book to be a one-size-fits-all solution. The authors acknowledge that boss-employee relationships can be complex and some employees may just be bad. Yet, there are some open-ended and simple solutions rather than firing subordinates.

All things considered, this is a must-read for all managers. Many times if need be.

4/5. Can be a bit dry but good read.

[Ann Jie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone working in corporate, whether you’re a boss or a subordinate. Best for middle managers, I think, who are both bosses and subordinates. I found myself nodding and bookmarking nearly every page. Highly recommended!!

[Tin Wee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be required reading for anyone who manages someone else. It outlines the relationship dynamics betw boss and subordinate, in particular how bosses form quick impressions about their subordinates and set up self fulfilling prophesies to either make the subordinate fail or succeed. It also highlights certain behaviour traits and cues to look out for, and proposes how to arrest such behaviours. Give yourself and your people a chance - read this book.

[Mark Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of the downward spiral in which a boss and subordinate create self fulfilling prophecies of poor performance. It can start simply enough when a subordinate misses an objective, the boss starts to treat the employee differently and the subordinate responds poorly. Like a whirlpool, the cycle can progress quickly into ugliness. Awareness is the first step in breaking the cycle. Very well presented, although the steps in breaking the cycle aren't always clear.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt the first 2/3 of the book was one big white paper trying to convince me of their findings/point of view. Good concepts, but for me concepts I felt could have been boiled down to a shorter and quicker read. The style was too "research paper like" for me.

[Adam Meents · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most insightful books I have ever read. Read it once to let it soak in. Read it twice as a warning for yourself not to get caught up in this trap.