It's extremely prevalent. One recent study found that 92% of executives used favouritism in deciding who to promote...

Similarly women, because they are more likely to want to connect with someone at an emotional level than men, who tend to be more dispassionate, are more likely to have favourites.

Most of us have behaviors which we are blissfully unaware of. People with more emotional intelligence are obviously more self-aware....

Then you need to think about who you can trust. Often people will go to HR or their boss's if they beleive they are trust-worthy...

Hi, Barbara. I have a question. My boss is organising an event to which some of my colleagues have been invited and some have not. This is awkward, since we all work together. I have been invited and, if I know what's good for me, I will go. But it feels wrong and unfair, and I am not sure how to deal with it. I don't think she realises what she is doing, and I am not close enough to her to tell her. Advice, please.

You might say something like, "I am sure there is reason why some have been invited, and others not. However you may not be aware of the fact that people who have been excluded feel hurt. " And hopefully your boss will rise to the occasion.

I would re-frame "the big company environment" which implies you need to interact with everyone, to the smaller sub-cultures such as your team. You may not feel comfortable having small chit chat with people, so instead of trying to emulate your extraverted counterparts, play to your strength as an introvert...

Don't worry about whether you come across as nervous- you likely won't, even if you feel awkward. And if necessary, force yourself to initiate a conversation, even if it feels very uncomfortable.

Stay the course. People don't like change. And sometimes it takes them awhile to even understand that change has taken place. ...

However if the havoc persist for a few months more, then it may be time to look at who the nay sayers are and ask yourself if they are dispensable. People may be bitter when they have been demoted from pet status and if they act out they will be a demoralizing force on the entire team.

I have become my boss' pet through the results of my work. Recently this seems to have triggered jealously from certain colleagues who have much more seniority... any tips on how to emphasize that I'm not trying to steal their work, and just trying to do my work?

If you get passive-aggressive comments, bite your tongue. I know this is hard, but if you start to "play", you might end up in a school yard battle about why you deserve to be the pet.

You can try to determine what the pets do, if anything, which is better or different than what you do, and emulate. However if not being one of the chosen really sticks in your craw you may need to leave. However, many people come to terms with the fact that they aren't a favourite but that doesn't make them a bad person and digest their second class status.

Yes, I have. it was the worst experience in my career. I quit after coming home every night and crying my eyes out. But these bosses were vicious, truly evil!

Let's see. I was doing executive career counselling. They not only took away my office, they took away my desk. So here is my client who is talking about everything from his or her spouse to their job, in the middle of reception...

They- the bosses (partners in a consulting firm) hosted a party and told me to not join in to any of the activieties but just to serve the food and wine.

There was one other woman who was extremely flirtatious. They loved her!