Those people who think their boss is the greatest thing since sliced bread are undoubtedly in the minority — it is unnatural to like your boss, and most do not because the majority thinks that these fearless leaders seem to suffer from a high powered superiority complex.

Now, there just might be some scientific evidence to back that up.

Researchers at the University of Akron and Michigan State University have developed a groundbreaking new gauge that is being referred to as the Workplace Arrogance Scale (WARS). Its primary objective — recognize arrogant tendencies.

Scientists responsible for developing WARS say that this test could be instrumental in helping to optimize productivity in the workplace because things like increased employee turnover and an overall negative atmosphere are often caused by the boss acting more like a feared dictator than a humble leader.

In fact, their research suggests that arrogant bosses have a tendency to project themselves as such as a way to assert superiority and competence when often times that level of conduct is associated with lower intelligence and poor self-esteem.

In regards to the WARS test, a ‘yes’ answer to any of these questions points towards arrogance in a boss.

  • Does your boss put his/her personal agenda ahead of the organization’s agenda?
  • Does your boss demonstrate different behaviors with subordinates and supervisors?
  • Does the boss discredit others’ ideas during meetings and often make them look bad?
  • Does your boss reject constructive feedback?
  • Does the boss exaggerate his/her superiority and make others feel inferior?

Study experts say that changing these damaging behaviors does not simply occur by answering the questions, and that arrogance assessments must be a part of employee reviews and the overall management process as a means for preventing the problems that come from arrogance.

Previous studies found that humble leadership helped increase productivity and generate an overall positive atmosphere within an organization.

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