back-patting
Self-congratulatory gesture exchange
Back-patting is self-congratulation or mutual praise, often excessive or unearned.
The image is of people literally patting each other on the back in approval.
It typically carries a dismissive tone, suggesting the praise is more about feeling good than recognizing genuine achievement: The meeting devolved into back-patting rather than addressing the problems.
Expressing praise for success
- self-congratulationAdmiring one's own accomplishments
- complimentaryFree or expressing praise
- flatteryExcessive insincere praise
- kudosPraise and honor
accolades · applause · commendation · validation · affirmation · stroking · recognition · appreciation
Favoring friends in appointments
- insiderOne with confidential access
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
- partisanBiased toward one side
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
donor · campaign · endorsement · bipartisan · committee · caucus · glad-handing · schmoozing
Fostering group cohesion
- bonusesAdded compensation beyond wages
- promotionsElevations in position
- testimonialsStatements praising something's worth
- endorsementsFormal declarations of support
networking · LinkedIn · self-promotion · branding · publicity · spin · optics · messaging
congratulatory
Expressing praise for success
- self-congratulationAdmiring one's own accomplishments
- complimentaryFree or expressing praise
- flatteryExcessive insincere praise
kudos · accolades · applause · commendation · validation · affirmation · stroking · recognition · appreciation · tributes
cronyism
Favoring friends in appointments
- insiderOne with confidential access
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
- partisanBiased toward one side
lobbying · donor · campaign · endorsement · bipartisan · committee · caucus · glad-handing · schmoozing · dealmaking
team-building
Fostering group cohesion
- bonusesAdded compensation beyond wages
- promotionsElevations in position
- testimonialsStatements praising something's worth
endorsements · networking · LinkedIn · self-promotion · branding · publicity · spin · optics · messaging · achievements
back-pattingcriticism
Judgment of faults
condemnation · censure · blame · reproach · rebuke
back-pattingself-criticism
Judging one's own failings
self-flagellation · self-deprecation · self-doubt · humility · modesty
back, patting, backs, backed, backing, backside, backward, backwards, pats