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How the Law of Reciprocity Backfires in Office Politics
Description
Hosts Lucas and Luna dive into the dark side of reciprocity at work—when giving favors creates resentment instead of goodwill. Using the real-world example of a mid-level marketing manager at a Fortune 500 retailer who over-gave until colleagues felt indebted and avoided her, Lucas explains the psychological mechanism called 'indebtedness aversion' and why unsolicited favors can trigger status anxiety. Luna shares findings from a 2023 study in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes showing that 40% of employees feel manipulated by unsolicited help. The episode also covers how to give strategically: asking first, making favors small and reversible, and never keeping score. A practical, counterintuitive look at why generosity has limits in the office.