Competition between co-workers is always going to be a feature of the workplace, particularly in jobs where the stakes are high and the rewards of promotion require standing out from your colleagues. Allowing our emotions to control how we behave in professional life can often be a bad move, and the extent to which we allow this to take place requires considerable constraint. Feelings of jealousy can override our rational faculties, particularly when it comes to talented colleagues who get all the attention. So how should you decide how competitive you should be in the workplace?
Healthy competition can be a positive incentive in the workplace. According to Ashley Merryman, co-author of Top Dog: the Science of Winning and Losing, “studies have shown competition fuels creativity and even improves the quality of the work produced. More than that, the skills that make you a great competitor – such as a willingness to push boundaries, trust one's instincts, problem-solve – those are the same skills needed for innovation.” Competition is a natural impulse, and can have many positive outcomes. If you do find yourself engaged in an ostensibly friendly workplace competition with a colleague, it is best to do some self-reflection by asking yourself why you are doing this. You might find that it is not as personal as you think. Also be wary of your boss. They might tolerate a competitive atmosphere in the workplace, but they will not be happy if the negative outcome of that atmosphere makes it across their desk and takes up their time.
However, constantly comparing yourself to a colleague, and trying to outdo them, can be self-defeating. Too much competition can be personally exhausting. It can reduce morale, increase stress, and it can also foster anger and resentment in colleagues you are competing with. Comparing yourself to others, especially talented colleagues, can also foster unhappiness. In any field there will always be someone who is better than you. Rather than constantly try to one-up such individuals, it is better to focus on your own strengths. Self-defined goals are a better measure of success, rather than have your feelings of professional self-worth be dependent on other colleagues.
If you want to compete with your talented colleagues, the best way to do so is via ‘cooperative competition’. Working together is a preferred strategy to achieving goals than competing alone. Team members can motivate each other and in doing so produce higher quality work. It is better that each member plays to his or her own individual strengths, rather than engage in the self-defeating behaviour of trying to ‘beat’ the competition whatever the cost.
Adam Watson