Hopeful Skeptics: Finding Trust and Meaning in Work
Cynicism: an unwelcome guest at work. It starts small – a raised eyebrow in a meeting, a quiet scoff at a “team-building” activity – but it doesn’t stay small. Left unchecked, it spreads, casting a shadow over everything. At its core, cynicism is the belief that people’s motives are selfish and that efforts, especially collective ones, are futile. In Hope for Cynics, Jamil Zaki calls it a “disease of social health.” Look around some workplaces, and it’s easy to see: disengaged teams, “us vs. them” mindsets, and a quiet resignation to just getting by. Cynicism isn’t only a workplace issue, though – it’s deeply personal, affecting how we see ourselves and others.