At some point in our working lives, most of us feel that things at work would be fine if only we were in charge. Some people feel that way most of the time. They believe that the problems they and their coworkers encounter at work could be avoided or surmounted if someone competent were in control. This tendency to find fault with the management of the workplace and criticize the efforts of others who strive for excellence, while doubting their motives, is called organizational cynicism by psychologists.

Origin and Definition

The term cynicism originally referred to the beliefs of the Cynics, a small but influential school of ancient Greek philosophers who stressed self-control and individualism as the path to virtue. In their pursuit of virtue, the Cynics ...

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