Cronyism is the practice of appointing friends, associates, or trusted allies to positions of authority, regardless of their actual qualifications.
It is a specific form of favoritism where loyalty and personal relationships trump merit, competence, or fair competition. You will most often see it play out in politics, government appointments, and high-level corporate boards.
How to Spot It
While it can sometimes look like regular networking, true cronyism has distinct hallmarks:
- Bypassing the Standard Process: Job openings aren’t publicly posted, or interviews are a mere formality because the winner was chosen before the process even started.
- The “Yes Man” Dynamic: Appointees are selected because they won’t challenge the person in power, rather than because they bring valuable, independent expertise.
- Unqualified Leadership: A person is handed a complex, highly technical role (like running a major government agency or a massive corporate division) despite having zero relevant background.
Anyone come to mind who is surrounded by sycophants?
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