It’s common for individuals to compare themselves with colleagues in the workplace. Everyone wants to fit in, contribute and achieve success equally as others.
However, this can sometimes lead to negative feelings such as unhealthy competition and envy, which can upset the team’s balance and hurt the company’s performance.
Creating a culture of collaboration and support that acknowledges and celebrates everyone’s efforts and contributions is essential to prevent these situations.
This article will explore practical ways to manage unhealthy workplace competition while promoting teamwork.
We can establish a positive and productive working environment for all by implementing these measures.
What is unhealthy competition in the workplace?
Unhealthy competition usually occurs when a person feels unhappy or resentful towards someone who possesses something they lack.
This is a common occurrence in the workplace, where people feel animosity towards a colleague who earns a larger salary, is assigned better tasks or projects, is more popular, or advances more quickly than you.
Unhealthy competition, in general, is a negative state that can hurt people’s mental health and the well-being of those around them. It can distract employees from their daily responsibilities, affecting their work performance and ultimately hindering their career progression.
What causes unhealthy competition in the workplace?
Unhealthy competition makes people only care about winning and ignore the importance of the process and the journey. When winning is everything, it encourages a mindset of doing whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means making bad decisions or behaving unethically.
Unhealthy competition may arise when someone else gets a promotion, receives more acknowledgment for their work, or is assigned more exciting tasks.
Undervalued or unfairly treated employees often compete and compare with others in an unhealthy manner.
Although competition can motivate some individuals, it can also cause stress for others.
Organizations may unintentionally intensify these negative states by establishing structures or procedures that foster competition or inequality.
How can unhealthy workplace competition negatively impact the organizational culture?
When team members feel bitter or resentful of each other, it can lead to a lack of communication and collaboration.
Unhealthy competition can cause them to be rude, withhold information, or sabotage each other, resulting in poorly executed projects.
Additionally, it can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction among colleagues, which may prompt high employee turnover.
Furthermore, a toxic team can harm a company’s brand and reputation, making it more challenging to attract top talent.
Working in an environment where colleagues envy each other can be challenging. Instead of working together and providing support, everyone becomes preoccupied with outshining one another.
This can hinder the generation of innovative ideas, which is vital for companies to remain competitive.
How to recognize unhealthy workplace competition and address it
Detecting unhealthy competition among colleagues can be challenging, as people often conceal it. They do not want to be perceived negatively, so they keep their envy under wraps.
However, certain behaviors may reveal how coworkers feel about each other. For example, sudden distancing, lack of communication, collaboration, or rude behavior can signify unhealthy competition.
Employees who feel envious may withdraw from communicating with colleagues and show unprofessional behavior.
Refusal to assist or sabotage are just a few indications of bitterness towards someone else. Sometimes, individuals who are jealous of others’ success may intentionally sabotage their work, causing them to fail.
Additionally, sarcastic comments, critical remarks, and body language can show unhealthy competition among coworkers. These signs are more transparent and can be easily spotted in everyday work conversations.
Handling work in unhealthy competition
As a human resources/ people operations manager, direct manager, or team lead, you must ensure a healthy and enjoyable work environment where employees can thrive, be productive, and work without obstacles.
You can maintain a healthy workplace by taking a few simple steps.
- Establish transparent and fair criteria for salary increases to eliminate any perception of favoritism and motivate employees to work towards their goals.
- Provide equal opportunities for every employee regarding project assignments and career advancement.
- Discuss areas of interest and career paths and assign projects that meet these requirements.
- Arrange one-on-one meetings and validate your employees’ feelings. The most crucial action is valuing employees’ feelings by listening during the 1:1 sessions. No distractions and no pushbacks.
- Identify courses that meet the employee’s goals and are within the company budget.
- After taking the previous actions, assign a project that requires collaboration between the two employees and ask them to split the tasks among themselves. Schedule meetings often to track progress.
Additionally, show genuine appreciation for employees’ hard work to make them feel valued and prevent unhealthy competition in the workplace.
The ultimate goal is for everyone to feel comfortable and included in the environment.
Doing so can foster a positive work culture and drive success for the entire team.
How to maintain a healthy competition
Healthy competition can positively impact all professionals.
A healthy competitive environment can motivate employees to showcase their skills and ultimately contribute to the company’s success.
For example, in a sales team, employees may compete to see who can close the most critical deal or make it to the President Club, increasing revenue.
However, it is important to promote positive competition that doesn’t spark employees to feel resentment.
To achieve this, ensure everyone can access the same resources and information needed for work.
This can include equal training opportunities, access to necessary tools, and clear communication about expectations and goals.
On the other hand, overachievers should frequently act as inspiration and be encouraged to share the strategy among others and help them be successful.
It is also essential to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to showcase their skills, regardless of their position or tenure in the company.
Summary
Unhealthy competition in the workplace can harm an organization’s culture and performance.
To prevent this, it’s essential to establish a culture of support, and transparency.
This can be achieved by coaching the managers and providing everyone with equal opportunities, fair criteria for salary increases, and genuine appreciation.
While healthy competition can benefit some professions, it’s crucial to ensure that it doesn’t lead to unhealthy competition or resentment among employees.
By taking these practical steps, organizations can promote teamwork, drive success, and create a positive and productive working environment for everyone.