Cynicism can negatively impact organizations. One approach treats cynicism as a liability. A more generative approach reframes cynicism as an asset. Leaders can use a three-step process to respond to cynicism in a way that leads to positive behavioral change. Step 1: Leaders empathize with cynics. Step 2: Leaders provide evidence of relevant information. Step 3: Leaders engage cynics in identifying and enacting solutions.
BrightD. S.PowleyE. H.FryR. E.BarrettF. (2013). The generative potential of cynical conversations. In CooperiderD. L.ZandeeD. P.GodwinL. N.AvitalM.BolandB. (Eds.), Organizational generativity: The appreciative inquiry summit and a scholarship of transformation (pp. 135–157). Emerald.
2.
ChiaburuD. S.Chunyan PengA.OhI.BanksG. C.LomeliL. C. (2013). Antecedents and consequences of employee organizational cynicism: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 83(2), 181–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2013.03.007
3.
SgueraF.PatientD.DiehlM.-R.BobocelR. (2022). Thank you for the bad news: Reducing cynicism in highly identified employees during adverse organizational change. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 95(1), 90–130. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12369
4.
StanleyD. J.MeyerJ. P.TopolnytskyL. (2005). Employee cynicism and resistance to organizational change. Journal of Business and Psychology, 19(4), 429–459. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-005-4518-2