By Ewere Okonta
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Sycophancy, the act of excessive flattery or servility for personal gain, has become a disturbing trend in our polity. It is now so deeply entrenched that many mistake it for loyalty. But let’s be clear—sycophancy is not loyalty. While loyalty is rooted in genuine commitment, respect, and support for a cause or leader, sycophancy thrives on deceit, manipulation, and self-interest. It is a toxic culture that stifles honest discourse, encourages mediocrity, and ultimately weakens institutions.
Sycophancy vs. Loyalty: The Fine Line
Loyalty is built on principles, truth, and sincerity. It means standing by someone or something even in difficult times while offering constructive criticism when necessary. A loyal person tells the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. They care about the overall good and are willing to correct a leader when they go astray. A sycophant, on the other hand, is a master of flattery who tells a leader only what they want to hear, even if it is harmful in the long run. They prioritize personal benefits over the common good, often deceiving leaders into believing they are infallible.
A loyal adviser will say, “Sir, this policy might not work as intended. Let’s reconsider.” A sycophant will say, “Brilliant idea, sir! You are a genius!” —even when disaster is imminent.
Sycophancy in Every Sphere
This menace is not restricted to politics alone. It thrives everywhere—workplaces, religious settings, business cycles, and even social circles. It creates an environment where merit is ignored, mediocrity is rewarded, and dissent is punished. Let’s break it down:
- In the workplace, employees flatter their bosses just to secure promotions rather than working hard or providing honest feedback. The result? Poor decision-making, stagnation, and failure.
- In religious settings, pastors, imams, and spiritual leaders are worshipped like deities instead of being held accountable for their teachings and actions. Followers refuse to question doctrine, no matter how flawed.
- In business, partners agree with every idea, no matter how impractical, just to stay in the good books of wealthy investors. This leads to financial losses and failed ventures.
- In governance, sycophancy has been elevated to state policy. Government officials surround themselves with praise-singers, making it nearly impossible for leaders to get honest feedback. As a result, they live in an illusion where everything appears perfect—until reality strikes.
The Dangers of Sycophancy to Our Polity
A society where sycophancy is normalized is a society in decline. When leaders surround themselves with praise-singers instead of honest advisers, they lose touch with reality. Bad policies go unchallenged, corruption thrives, and national development is stunted. The fall of many great nations, businesses, and organizations has often been linked to sycophantic followership that blinded leaders to their flaws and mistakes.
History has shown us countless examples. Many African nations continue to struggle with bad governance because those in power are constantly reassured that they are “doing great,” even when their citizens suffer. Businesses collapse because CEOs are misled by flattery rather than facts. Even in our personal lives, we have all seen relationships crumble because one party refused to hear the truth.
How to Identify a Sycophant
Sycophants have predictable patterns. They:
- Agree with everything a leader says – even when it makes no sense.
- Attack anyone who dares to criticize the leader – no matter how constructive the criticism.
- Exaggerate achievements – making minor successes sound like world-changing victories.
- Defend the indefensible – just to please those in power.
- Have no personal convictions – their opinions change based on where power lies.
- Seek personal gain over the collective good – they are primarily motivated by selfish interests.
How Leaders Can Avoid Sycophants
To break free from this toxic culture, leaders must:
- Encourage constructive criticism – Reward those who speak the truth, even when it is unpleasant.
- Surround themselves with independent minds – People who can challenge ideas rather than blindly agree.
- Look beyond flattery – Genuine supporters work for the greater good, not personal gain.
- Evaluate feedback carefully – Separate honest praise from manipulative flattery.
- Promote merit over loyalty – Appointments and promotions should be based on competence, not sycophantic devotion.
- Stay humble and open to diverse perspectives – No one is infallible; a good leader listens and learns.
Why We Should Not Confuse Sycophancy with Loyalty
Loyalty is about devotion to values, a cause, or an institution, while sycophancy is about devotion to personal survival at any cost. When leaders mistake sycophants for loyal followers, they expose themselves to failure. A sycophant will abandon a leader when things go wrong, while a loyal supporter will stand firm and offer guidance through challenges.
Loyalty says, “I will stand with you, but I will also correct you when necessary.” Sycophancy says, “I will stand with you—right or wrong—until it is no longer beneficial to me.”
Sycophancy Must Not Become the New Normal
A nation or institution governed by sycophants is doomed to fail. We must reject this culture and promote a system where truth, competence, and integrity take precedence over flattery and deceit. The future of our polity depends on leaders who seek honesty, citizens who speak truth to power, and institutions that reward merit over sycophantic allegiance.
If we continue to embrace sycophancy, we risk fostering a generation that values praise over progress, deception over development, and blind loyalty over genuine patriotism. But we have a choice: We can break free from this culture and create a society where honesty is valued, where truth is embraced, and where leaders are held accountable.
It is time to say NO to sycophancy and YES to genuine leadership and accountability.
If we fail to act now, sycophancy will not just be a trend—it will become the permanent fabric of our society, and that is a future we must all work hard to prevent.
This is my Sunday sermon from my holy pulpit!
Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor