The Toxicity of a Hyper-Competitive Work Environment

So, we really need to talk about workplace competition. It’s an epidemic that seems to plague offices rather than benefit them. From losing the “big picture” to only working for yourself vs. the company as a whole - competition within the workplace has gotten a bit out of hand. This time, we’re taking a stance against an overly competitive work environment due to the toxic behavior, mentality, and unethical effects it has on employees and the company as a whole.

Is there a Healthy Form of Workplace Competition?

YES. We’re not here to bash all competition...that’s just not right! Healthy forms of competition in any scenario can be great motivators for those employees who are a bit too comfortable ...You know the one(s). Little competitions or games within the office can bring a more enjoyable side to the sometimes monotonous work week. Let’s face it - it’s fun to win and it’s fun to be the best. Plain and simple. While a bit of fun, healthy workplace competition is great at boosting employee motivation, there’s a fine line between healthy and toxic. And it can be crossed very quickly...sometimes without awareness to the issue. To get technical with you really quick, Harvard Business Review wrote an article on the Pros and Cons of Competition and they said this: “some research studies suggest such competition can motivate employees, make them put in more effort, and achieve results. Indeed, competition increases physiological and psychological activation, which prepares body and mind for increased effort and enables higher performance.” Sounds all hunky-dory doesn’t it? While it can be great for some offices, it’s important to understand the differences between that positive, morale boosting competitive streak and the self-serving, money-mongering, soul-crushing competitive streak.

When Does Competition Become Toxic?

Oftentimes, employees are completely unaware of just how competitive their job has become. It’s easy to get caught up in a routine, lost in the shuffle, competing to the top. While there’s nothing wrong with that at an innocent first look, when you begin to peel back the layers, the toxicity begins to shine through. Let’s first take a look at what a few sources have to say about toxic competition:

“Competition in the workplace is often inevitable. And, while some leaderships view competition as a technique to maximize production, the truth is that it can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. It’s a good thing to be a dedicated employee and want to produce solid work, but you don’t have to do that at the expense of battling it out with your co-workers” (The Muse).

“Signs of a competitive workplace tend to involve a charged atmosphere and evaluation standards that use coworkers' performances as yardsticks. The difference between a positive and a negative competitive work environment lies in the extent to which competitiveness becomes a zero-sum game. When everyone gains from healthy competition, then coworkers outdo each other in a friendly, productive way. When an employee's success reflects poorly on his coworkers, then the work environment will likely grow tense and even hostile” (Chron).

“The way leaders communicate about competition can make employees experience anxiety or excitement about competing. As we have seen, leaders need to invest energy generating excitement by highlighting the potential positive consequences of competition (e.g., recognition and rewards that await outstanding performers) rather than creating anxiety by singling out and highlighting low performers” (HBR).

“43% of employees would leave if their workplace was too competitive” (The Muse).

Much like some of our team says below, competition becomes toxic when it loses the “fun” aspect and becomes more about beating others and being the best. That mentality is disruptive, selfish, and hurtful to your co-workers and especially those on your immediate team. A healthy company operates in the way that “if one fails, we all fail. If one wins, we all win.” A toxic company/environment works in the opposite way where “they failed”, “I win”. They, they, they, and I, I, I does nothing productive for a team and only isolates those who may not perform as well. It’s natural to have a front-runner or go-getter who goes above and beyond. Yes. But, something to think about is - why is my whole team not acting in this way?

If you find yourself in a hyper-competitive office, keep it in check. Especially if you have some sort of pull or leadership role. Keeping everyone in line and monitoring the levels at which something is competitive is crucial to stopping something from getting out of hand. You’ll be glad that you did. If you must implement some sort of competition into the workplace, keep it controlled and light-hearted. Natural competition is going to happen and that’s fine, however, be prepared to step in and say enough is enough if/when the time comes.

What Does Our Team Have to Say?

“I think a bit of competition is healthy and can improve job performance but at the same time, I also think it can hinder performance too when competition becomes the sole-driver in an employee's means for success. There's a very fine line and it's important to realize when beating a co-worker becomes more important than your own personal development. At the end of the day, everyone should want each other to succeed and when that mindset is lost, it becomes toxic.”

-Katelyn Schur, Marketing Coordinator

“Workplace competition becomes toxic when it transforms from a healthy, fun-loving drive to an obsessive mindset. If one is going to work in the morning developing strategy on how to beat others, and not developing a strategy to grow the company (and oneself), then this is a strong indicator of straying off course.”

-Nathan Lewis, Senior Recruiter

“Internal competition becomes toxic when it levels up to personal recognition and personal gain....and totally destroys the "team effort" concept. I would say a professional team mate would look at the company's /project’s success rather than self motivation.”

-Jerry Mathew, Senior Recruiter

“Internal competition becomes toxic when it’s no longer about professional growth and is more about trying to get the upper hand on your co-workers. The office is a place where development should be fostered not a place where you’re constantly watching your back.”

-Felix Vassallo, National Sales Executive

Whether you’re in a hyper-competitive space or you’re office is on the way there...it’s important to be aware of the signs and tendencies that competitive personalities have and squash any unwarranted or over-the-top, toxic behavior.

Do you have ways that you handle a toxic or competitive work environment? Let us know!