sycophant

Vocabulary Word

Definition

A 'sycophant' is someone who overly praises or flatters someone in authority, often to gain personal advantage. It's not just respecting authority, it's going beyond to please them for personal gain.

Examples in Different Contexts

In tech startups, 'sycophants' might align with influential figures. A team leader might warn, 'Being a sycophant to the CEO won't mask your project's shortcomings.'

Practice Scenarios

Academics

Scenario:

By only agreeing with the professor's conclusions, we might miss out on valuable critiques and alternative perspectives. Independent thought is crucial in intellectual growth.

Response:

Critiquing a professor's theories doesn't mean disrespect. We should not turn into sycophants just to avoid challenging discussions.

Leadership

Scenario:

Earning a promotion should come from merit and performance, not insincere pains-taking flattery. We need a fair assessment system for future leadership roles.

Response:

In leadership decisions, sycophancy should hold no ground. Potential leaders should be chosen based on their performance and credibility.