Breaking the Cycle of Social Loafing

Social loafing is the idea that when individuals are working in a group, they put in less effort than when working on their own. The assumption of a social loafer is that whatever they choose not to do, someone else will take care of. Unfortunately for some, they are often right in that assumption. The top performers of the organization naturally tend to pick up the slack from others because they don’t want to see the team fail, and they cannot stand to see tasks left unfinished. Leaders often do not have the opportunity to see that phenomenon since the work is still getting done. However, that can only go on for so long before the top performers become frustrated and you lose them as employees. Those are the individuals that you should be working really hard to retain.

Most people who demonstrate social loafing do not recognize the additional burden this places on the other group members. It’s not always intentional either. Social loafers just think that they have additional people to help with their tasks, so they do not have to exert as much effort. As a leader, one way you can combat social loafing is to clearly define the role of each group member. Assign specific responsibilities, and check in regularly with the team to ensure that everyone is on track for success.

Another tool for preventing social loafing is to focus on team development. The more trusting of one another they are and the more open their communication is, the less likely someone is to neglect their own work. When every member of the team is focused on the success of the collective, they are able to think beyond themselves, and they will begin to behave in a way that fosters collaboration and enhances the team culture.

In creating an environment in which social loafing is not acceptable, you build the engagement and motivation of every member of the group. The more committed the team is to the organization’s objectives, the more they produce. Don’t let your employees fall into the cycle of social loafing. Provide clarity, establish accountability, and recognize positive behavior.

-Meghan Slaughter