How to Manage Rivalry in the Workplace

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Healthy rivalry can encourage team members to perform at their best.

Rivalries can push people to perform at the highest level. They can also encourage them to engage in shocking – and even illegal – behavior.

In 1994, American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was poised to claim the national championship. But, after a practice session, an attacker tried to break her leg, and she was forced to withdraw from the event.

Later, it came to light that Kerrigan's main rival, Tonya Harding, had conspired to injure her opponent to give herself a better chance in the competition. Fortunately, Kerrigan's injury healed and she went on to win the silver medal in the Olympics that year. (Meanwhile, Harding finished eighth, eventually pleaded guilty to criminal charges, and was disgraced by the scandal.)

While it is rare that workplace rivalries end in physical injuries and arrests, they can become a distraction, harm morale, and diminish productivity. In this article, we'll explore rivalry in the workplace, and we'll look at how you can limit unhealthy competition and improve collaboration in your own team.

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