The Manhattan Effect: What to do if you have a conflict of opinion at work

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Imagine your partner telling you, gleefully, that he can travel abroad for a year to get the job. It’s going to be a great business opportunity and you know: he’s dreamed of it for a long time. what do you say? You may want to think about it first – and it won’t be easy for you to look forward to the show with your partner. But why actually?

This explains the Manhattan effect, a phenomenon from psychology that relates only to such situations. Situations where you get into deep struggles over whether or not to support someone you have a good relationship with. Because yes you want to support your partner but at what cost? Because if he or she travels abroad, the main consequence for you is that you will see your partner much less and he or she may have experiences that change him. This raises concerns about the relationship – and your partner’s chance seems like a loss to you above all else.

Similar scenarios often arise at work – for example, when your favorite colleague accepts a promotion and you are asked for advice on whether she should accept it. Of course, her friend wishes her to develop further. But maybe you wanted this job yourself? Or you wonder if the friendship would last if it was suddenly above you in the hierarchy?

subordinate Manhattan effect It states that supporting someone else ends as soon as it jeopardizes your relationship. Hear what you need to know about it and how it affects your business decisions in the new episode of the podcast Listen, Make a Career.

“When you see a relationship as threatening, it is of course a matter of perception,” explains the personality psychologist Fanny Jimenez, which is powered by listening, creating a career podcast. “Knowing the Manhattan Effect helps not only with making decisions out of fear – because, as is often the case, this is unfortunately a bad advisor.” You can find out everything you need to know about the Manhattan Effect in the new episode. Hear!

About the podcast

In “Listen, Make a Career” we tell you in short episodes simple life hacks from psychology that will help you move forward with your work faster. Why should you report more at meetings? How do you fight the blockade at work? How do you get people to stop annoying habits?

Psychologist and journalist Fanny Jimenez takes turns talking to the job editor about these big and small problems in career. Hendrickje Rudnick and podcast editor Michael Reinhardt. A new episode comes out every Sunday. Check them out at spotifyAnd Apple PodcastAnd DeezerAnd google podcastAnd Bodemo And everywhere there are podcasts.

Do you have feedback on the podcast or suggestions on issues we could discuss? Then please send us an email at [email protected].