IS YOUR WORKPLACE OVERLY COMPETITIVE?

Competitiveness can either bring out the best or worst in people. Obviously, there are going to be industries in which there is naturally more competition, such as sales, where employees are expected to reach, achieve, and surpass targets. Yet, competition in the workplace can have some nasty consequences on you as an employee, and your co-workers.

The positives of some healthy competition in the workplace are that, firstly, it provides motivation for employees to do their best and exceed their normal working limits. It is likely to improve your working habits, such as your organisational skills, setting goals, and overall, just having a better work ethic. For the employer, competition increases productivity not just from the employee, but also from the whole work force. Employees are also more likely to work harder, and for longer, as they have that competitive drive.

These positives may be effective in the short term, but competition in the workplace can have serious backlash if employees are pushed too far. Firstly, competitiveness can create a ‘dog eat dog’ environment in the workplace, which can be uncomfortable and stressful to operate in. Some people are naturally very competitive, and there are some who are not and don’t need competition to motivate them to push themselves in their work. So, if the workplace has become very competitive, non-competitive people may find this environment demotivating and discouraging.

If competition turns ugly, it could create unhealthy rivalries between colleagues trying to outdo each other and ‘be the best’. This could be unproductive for the internal workings of the company. Teamwork is a vital part of the working culture, and employees may start focusing more on themselves and what they’re doing, rather than the employer and the needs of the company.

Constantly comparing yourself to how others are doing, and trying to beat co-workers’ sales and targets, can lower your self-esteem and your overall happiness. Being ranked at work can be stressful and most people work full time, so this is a constant source of stress.

Overall, a little competition in the workplace is healthy and it can drive you to work harder, but extended periods within a competitive environment can have a negative effect on the team, causing resentment, alienation and mistrust.