HBR On Leadership Combatting Cynicism in Your Organization
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Feb 25, 2026 
Jamil Zaki, Stanford psychology professor and empathy researcher, explains why rising cynicism harms workplace trust and productivity. He contrasts healthy skepticism with corrosive mistrust. He discusses how leadership practices and culture fuel cynicism, what behaviors reveal it, and practical steps leaders can take to rebuild trust and encourage collaboration.
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Cynicism Defined As A Dark Social Lens
- Cynicism is a social theory that views people as selfish, greedy, and dishonest, shaping how you interpret interactions.
- Jamil Zaki explains this dark lens makes you detect ulterior motives everywhere and erodes trust and relationships.
Cynicism Raises Hidden Transaction Costs
- Cynicism damages individuals and organizations, increasing stress, depression, turnover, and transaction costs.
- Zaki links cynical workplaces to higher contracting and arbitration costs because people meticulously guard interactions.
Badness Attunement Fuels Cynicism
- Cynicism is learned: betrayals and badness attunement make people over-focus on negatives and extrapolate immorality.
- Zaki's lab found people gossip more about negatives and infer more about humanity from one immoral act than a moral one.