Neither showing nor receiving favor is a new phenomenon. However, favoritism can bind both the giver and the receiver in an unhealthy alliance. Favoritism and the expectations of loyalty it creates can limit options for future action, impair objectivity, and even compromise one’s values. Unfortunately, this is particularly common in the workplace.

In the workplace, some authority figures intentionally give promotions or other favors to unqualified team members based on personal loyalty. Interestingly, the favored team member may eventually pay it forward by recruiting other team members who are loyal to them without minding whether the team member is qualified for the new position. Eventually, such a misguided act from one manager can spread across departments and become an organizational norm.

The ripple effect of such a move can create a toxic environment that affects the well-being of all team members as well as the functioning of the organization. Moreover, the perpetuation of such behavior easily leads to a distorted outcome. Before you know it, team members’ morale starts to dwindle, and performance declines, all because of an act by an authority figure to trade preference for power. There are three tips that could help redirect such thinking and conduct.

1. Avoid playing favorites. The best way to stop favoritism is to avoid giving or receiving it. Although it is obviously difficult not to receive or give favors, especially in the workplace, it is worth avoiding because it could be counterproductive. Organizations should have a policy that spells out what........

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