The Most Effective Ways to Deal with an Overly Competitive Co-Worker - Spark Hire

The Most Effective Ways to Deal with an Overly Competitive Co-Worker - Spark HireWhen one of your colleagues is highly competitive, it can make work tense, to say the least. But there are strategies you can use to prevent this individual from making your job stressful or unpleasant, regardless of how they approach their own role within the company. Some of the most effective ways of dealing with a highly competitive co-worker includeRefuse to play the gameIts natural to feel your own competitive streak flare up when a colleague is constantly bragging about the praise they received from the boss, the number of sales they made that day, or how much clients love them. However, fight the urge to be equally competitive. Doing so wont make your working situation any more pleasant in fact, it will only cause tensions to flare even more. Just because your colleague chooses to bring an unnecessary level of competition to the workplace, doesnt mean you need to do the same.Focus on your role wi thin the company, not theirsWhen you have a highly competitive colleague, its easy to let them consume your thoughts. However, instead of worrying about what theyre doing and saying, make it a point to focus fully on your own role within the company. Be a team player. Share ideas, help out co-workers when theyre in a jam, and dont be the first to take credit when something goes right. When others see you as an essential part of the office, your stock within that company will rise, regardless of others behavior.Analyze the office in generalEven the best offices can be plagued with one or two overly competitive people. However, its necessary to take a step back and analyze the situation. Do you find that many or most of your co-workers are unnecessarily competitive? If so, you may want to consider finding work elsewhere. This kind of environment can quickly become toxic and detrimental to your career and mental state.Dont just accept the behaviorIf your co-workers behavior is impactin g your own ability to perform, its time to say something. You dont need to have a screaming argument in the middle of the cafeteria, but you should be honest with them and explain how their actions are affecting you. In some cases, the individual may have no idea that their competitive nature has become out of control. Cluing them in can help them to tone down these tendencies, making the company a much more pleasant place to work.How do you deal with overly competitive co-workers? Let us know in the commentsImage pressmaster/BigStock.com

5 steps to take when youre feeling insecure at work

5 steps to take when youre feeling insecure at work5 steps to take when youre feeling insecure at workWhen youre surrounded by other hardworking coworkers in a rewarding but fast-paced work environment, it can be easy to feel like youre falling behind- especially when your job involves juggling multiple projects and everything feels like a competition.Heres how to manage feelings of insecurity in the office so you can move forward.Know your worthWhen youre feeling down, remember what you bring to the table, what youre proudest of, and the positive characteristics of your job. This can help get your mind off things when working through a particularly challenging project.Dont ignore deep anxiety address itMichele Hoos writes about how integrative psychiatrist Dr. Katherine Falk suggests simple breathing techniques before providing more of her advice in an article for The Muse.Keep in mind that if you are suffering from intense anxiety that is disrupting your personal life considerably , you dont need to try to overcome it all by yourself. Dr. Falk says if youre notlageicing a pattern in your life where new projects or roles create anxiety, where youre not enjoying anything, or where your eating or sleep is disrupted for more than a couple weeks, then it may be time to seek therapy. If youre not sure whether or not your anxiety falls within a normal range , try taking an online test, Hoos writes.If your anxiety doesnt seem to be clinical, but still bothers you, yoga and meditation can work wonders - as can getting enough sleep and taking breaks during the day. Remember that your job is not your identity and that you still have to function as a human, not just an employee.Keep your own objectives in mindLolly Daskal writes about why you need to stop comparing yourself with others, which applies to work,in an Inc. article.Keep working toward your goals. Instead of comparing yourself to anyone else, measure where you are now compared to a month or a quarter or a yea r ago and appreciate the progress you are making. And if you see instead that youre not progressing toward your goals, its most likely because those goals are not clearly defined. Its not because of anything wrong or inferior with you, and it certainly doesnt have anything to do with anyone else. Measure your own progress and hold yourself accountable for thatand no more, Daskal writes.Find a ratgeberMelody J. Wilding, LMSW, wrote about how to improve upon weaknesses in an article for The Muse.When were in a self-critical mode, we often turn inward. So, to constructively address your shortcomings, it can help to shift your focus outward and engage with others. Finding a mentoris an especially constructive approach. Find someone who has the skills and traits youd like to emulate, and start spending more time with him or her. Not only will you learn through observation, your mentor can be a great source of positive reinforcement and guidance. When youre facing a challenge or dealing w ith a stumbling block, your mentor can provide feedback thats helpful, constructive, and honest, which can help you move forward in a positive way (not to mention, remember that others have been there before, too), Wilding wrote.See if what others are saying about you is a real opportunity for growthGwen Moran features advice from Jim Haudan, CEO and chairman of human resources development firm Root, Inc., inaFast Company article.If youre often the butt of jokes about your disorganized approach or inability to be on time, it could be a clue that these are issues the people around you are trying to correct through humor. Haudan recommends listening to the people around you for clues about the things that really bug them, then analyze whether theyre areas that could potentially hold you back, Moran writes.But wed like to add that you should take further action if youregetting made fun of for things that dont apply to you- if youre being targeted unfairly or inappropriately for things that are out of your control, consider telling your manager or HR.