Feel like you're always competing against co-workers?

July 6, 8:12 AMEntry Level Careers ExaminerHeather Huhman

Previous Next

2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Entry Level Careers Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

In speaking with a young professional last week who’s in a temporary position with the possibility of becoming full-time, she described to me how she constantly feels she needs to compete with her co-workers in order to prove her place in the organization. Unfortunately, she’s not the first person to find herself in this situation—nor will she be the last. But, as I explained to her, this is unhealthy workplace behavior—and not the most effective with regard to her long-term goals.

Are you rivaling your co-workers for the boss’s attention? You might want to try these tactics instead:

1. Put your head down, and focus on your work. I know that sounds harsh, but if your mind is focused on something other than your assignments, it’s hard to do your best on them, right? I’ve always believe that the most people can ask of you is your best, so give it to them.

2. Don’t suck up. I absolutely hate people who do this, and there are so many of them. But, to a manager (at least most of us), it’s easily recognizable and tires quickly. Just because someone in the next cube over thinks this is the way to the top, don’t follow his or her lead. Be polite, professional and remind your boss when you’ve accomplished something worth noting. (We’re busy—sometimes we forget even though we don’t mean to.) But, don’t suck up!

3. Keep your emotions in check. The worst thing you could do is get visibly upset when your co-worker scores big points with the boss—again. Instead, congratulate him or her, and offer to help work on the project. After all, you could both learn something from each other.

4. Enjoy what you do. If you love your work enough, it will show through in your assignments and overall attitude. Before you ran into this co-worker, you loved your job, right? Continue loving it! Having a passion for something more often than not sparks creativity and ideas, which might be the ticket to getting a pat on the back.

5. When you leave work, actually leave work. Don’t bring your work home with you—physically, mentally or emotionally. If this co-worker is ruining your work life, why let him or her ruin your home life, too? Give yourself plenty of “me” time when out of the office and take up a hobby or two that keeps your mind off work.