The impact of pride on lack of sleep on status

A few years ago, I came across puzzles. I had published a paper When leaders brag about lack of sleep, it shows evidence that not only damages the sleep of their subordinates, but ultimately leads to unethical behavior. As someone who studies the relationship between sleep and work, this was not a surprise. The inexplicable part is that despite these detrimental effects, bragging about lack of sleep remains very common. Many people, including CEOs, treat sleep deprivation as a badge of honor and talk about it in general. I’ll briefly talk about this phenomenon in my mind tedx talk.

Why do people brag about lack of sleep? Are they fools? Probably not. I think they’re making bad choices about setting up what they’re promoting as a bad example, but that doesn’t mean they’re stupid. There must be other reasons why they brag about their lack of sleep. So I pondered this question: what do they get by bragging about their lack of sleep?

My colleagues (Elijah Wee of Washington University, Gisele Antoine of St. Louis at Washington University) and I had sparks of insight. We assumed that people are probably gaining status from bragging about lack of sleep. There is a social status incentive to do so.

Research: How sleep deprivation disclosure affects status

Our study investigated how sleep deprivation disclosures affect workplace situations. When people talk about their lack of sleep, they find that they can certainly gain status, but the specific characteristics highlighted differ based on sex.

for maledisclosure of sleep deprivation is often considered a signal Strength. When a male colleague mentions that he is healthy and surviving after 3 hours of sleep, it is interpreted as a sign of Resilience and toughness. This is consistent with traditional gender stereotypes that men consider to be mentally and physically robust and can be achieved by pushing personal limitations forward the goal. However, sleep-deprived men are not considered more self-sacrificing.

for womandynamic flip. When women disclose sleep deprivation, it tends to signal Self-sacrifice. This emphasizes the willingness to place the needs of others, whether or not a colleague, client, or family member absorbs their happiness. However, this self-sacrificing perception does not necessarily lead to being considered stronger or more resilient. Instead, it reinforces traditional expectations that women are raising and willing to prioritize others.

Ultimately, the causal pathway appears to be different for men than for women, but the boost to status is almost the same. Many people want to engage in such bragging.

The bragging about lack of sleep: a social dilemma?

Human capital is valuable, perhaps more than most senior managers really appreciate. Sleep is important to maintain health Its human capital is important, and ultimately, fundamentally. Productivity The final result. Therefore, when employees are obtained, the organization’s employment is better sleep. Organizational culture shapes sleep norms. Therefore, bragging about lack of sleep, especially high status, is people who boast about lack of sleep, challenging norms that broadly devalue sleep across organizations. So bragging about lack of sleep is ultimately harmful to both employees and employers.

But at least some people seem to recognize that they can gain status by boasting about lack of sleep. In other words, they can personally benefit from behaviours that harm people and organizations around them, at least in the short term. It appears that many people are willing to capture the benefits of this reputation, even if they are contributing to the negative norms that will return to harm them in the end.

Assume that the solution to this dilemma is to take a long-term perspective. Sleep-deprived braggarts can ultimately harm the long-term by contributing to norms that underestimate sleep, so those who may boost their status by refraining from boasting about lack of sleep That would be good. Avoiding the sleep-deprived arms race is far better than accepting it.

Beyond that, if your workplace culture celebrates insomnia It’s time to rethink these values ​​as markers of dedication. Promoting rest and recovery is essential for long-term performance and well-being. Leaders need to model these behaviors, indicating that sleep is a valuable resource, not a disorder. Regular workshops and training sessions allow employees and leaders to understand the specific costs of sleep deprivation and to help workplace stories go from “more time = more dedication” to “better rest = better performance” It will help you change it to.

Conclusion: Towards a more sustainable workplace

Our research reveals why people continue to boast about lack of sleep despite known harm. It provides a path to workplace status. However, the gender nature of these perceptions highlights deeper issues of workplace equity and sustainability. Disclosure of sleep deprivation may provide a temporary status boost, but there is the risk of promoting unsustainable working practices and reinforcing traditional stereotypes.

To build a healthier and more effective organization, leaders need to move beyond cherishing dedication that will not be able to sleep. Instead, they need to promote a culture in which rest, balance and happiness are essential to success and human sustainability. How to become your best self It’s about maximizing how well you can thrive in the long run. By shifting the focus from short-term status acquisition to long-term happiness and productivity, organizations can create an environment where both individuals and teams can perform best.