“We live in a cynical world, a cynical, cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors.”
—from the 1996 movie script, Jerry Maquire
While we enjoyed the movie, Jerry Maquire, it is hardly the reason VIM Executive Coaching wants to quote lines from the script. However, it is improbably true, the movie is about to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its release. The famous quote appearing above, was more accurate and foretelling than I think any of us realized.
A New York Times article on cynicism (January 1, 2026), told us that “Cynicism is vastly on the rise, and It's a dangerous trend.”
Of course it’s dangerous. And if it was apparent when Tom Cruise first spoke those lines, it has gotten multiples worse. In 1996, the smartphone was still in its infancy, most of social media was a dream, we didn’t watch videos and cable news was limited to but a minor role.
With all this news, one would think there would be less cynicism because viewers would be fully informed and everything “we” are exposed to, would become transparent. The theory is immediately smashed with the rise of on-air “experts” who are clearly not neutral. Indeed, they take the positions of whatever bias the cable or social or viewing media wants viewers to have. The outcome, of course, is that the precise, exact, straight and unadulterated news, becomes filled with politicizing, sniping, half-truths and anger.
2026 America (and indeed, most of the world) has lost confidence in its institutions, political parties, government and ironically the news itself. Society has become cynical as a whole, and work places, in particular are often hotbeds of contention, resentment and dishonesty.
Cynicism in the Office
Whether the work place is in-person, virtual or hybrid, it would be naïve, to say the least, to believe executive leaders and their subordinates, don’t carry the bumps and bruises of cynicism with them.
Philip Altman, an authority on workplace cynicism has stated:
“Cynical workplaces are permeated with mistrust - leading to low morale and productivity, turmoil, burnout, and high turnover. Everyone is in it for themselves. Kindness is assumed to hide ulterior motives. Employees put on a psychological armadillo shell to fend off rancor.”
Even the prestigious Harvard Business Review has extensively researched workplace cynicism and finds it to be toxic. It is like glue or tar; once it gets on an employee, it is difficult to remove. In other words, how could any executive who immerses themselves in social media, politics, cable news, constant exposure to biased materials not become cynical in teams, work groups, industry functions, associations and such?
VIM Executive Coaching recommends at least seven practices to help executive leaders overcome the toxicity of cynicism.
- Negativity dwells in cynicism. Negativity lives in the darkest, dankest places where (frankly) a lot of social media and cable news media want us to be. Sorry, to say this but not everything is bleak or bad or hopeless.
- On the topic of the negative, it is perfectly acceptable to be mindful enough to put “fences” around people whose only function is to be negative. There is no requirement that dictates everyone must be treated to a constant, negative stream. Obviously, there is no requirement to listen to any team member dragging in irrelevant views to a work place conversation.
- Conversely, cynicism loathes positivity. Cynical people (no matter their politics, etc.) are rarely positive people. Is there a strategy here? Yes, stay away from them, avoid them, or minimize interaction.
- What is the reality? Before caving into the cynic on the team or work place, research the proofs that their perception is accurate. Obviously, the reality may change the executive leader’s mindset as well.
- The point above must direct all team members or employees to a place of openness. Cynicism can’t operate in a setting of open dialog and truth. Trust is a key issue to mitigate any negative effects of the cynic.
- In all actions, be positive… and that includes “idle gossip.” We are in the business coaching profession, not the spiritual or morality business, but gossip is a negative, cynical response that can kill trust and the team.
- Be inquisitive -- always. Cynicism doesn’t like curiosity. Ask questions, gather facts, delve more deeply, don’t allow unsubstantiated opinions to stand. Be mindful enough to take a deep breath and probe any subjective viewpoint that is spouted as a truth.
Yes, we do live in a cynical, cynical world. However, living there, staying there, is a choice. Choose, instead, positivity and authenticity. Be courageous enough to be positive.