High-performing team cultures are so appealing, we’d physically scramble over another for the chance to join one. But things can turn sour quickly if you don’t keep your competitive streak in check. 

We explore healthy and unhealthy competition, and what you can do to remain a positive team player. 

In this guide: 

• What makes a high-performing team culture?
• How to recognise when competition is no longer healthy
• How to reign in your competitive streak and be a positive team player
• Using competition in a healthy way

What makes a high-performing team culture? 

High-performing teams tend to be highly productive and motivated to achieve common business goals. Their working environment provides the systems, resources, and support they need to work as effectively as possible. This can look like shared vision and values, open communication and continuous feedback loops that build trust and respect, and fair recognition and reward for their contribution. 

But the pressure to be consistently high performing can be a lot for some to manage. This is where human nature comes into play. Our body is hardwired to do well, rewarding us with dopamine every time we sense achievement. Dopamine makes us feel so darn lovely, we want to experience more of it, as much of it, again and again… if we’re not careful. This can turn into unhealthy competition, which can set your once awesome culture to detonate.

How to recognise when competition is no longer healthy 

High-performing teams have a team mentality. So, if you find yourself caring more about your own success and recognition (you’re the star!) or feeling pangs of jealousy every time someone receives praise for exceptional work, then you may be in for some trouble. 

Unhealthy competition can look like: 

• Measuring your value and worth against others (you’re either ‘better than’ or ‘worse than’). 
• Feeling jealous or threatened by others’ success. 
• Feeling pressured to up the ante, work longer and ‘louder’ to prove yourself.

How to reign in your competitive streak and be a positive team player 

Positive competition is about challenging ourselves, pushing ourselves, and allowing the talent, skill, and support of others to help take us to the next level, go deeper, and get the most out of our potential.” It can improve creativity, motivate and inspire us, and increase the quality and effectiveness of our work. 

This is why high-performing team cultures are so enviable – they help us become better performing individuals. It may not be possible to emulate that level of growth and success if you continue operating from a ‘every person for themselves’ mindset. 

So, best to reign in that competitive streak and get back to team-playing, eh? 

Three things that may help:

1. Stop the comparisonitis: Easier said than done, perhaps. When you find yourself comparing achievements, accolades, fashion sense, catch yourself in the moment and rewire your thought process. Instead of making a mental list of all your have nots, make a list of all you are proud of and grateful for (your health, your education, your relationships, your therapy cat…). Meditation and mindfulness can help build this skill of catching thoughts in the act. 

1. Name your jealousy: No one wants to be accused of being a green-eyed monster! So, call it out. Be honest with yourself about what you’re feeling, and why. If you can establish the root cause of your jealousy and bring it out into the open, you may be better able to overcome it. 

1. Focus on the relationships: If you’re feeling jealous of, or super competitive against, a colleague, then there’s just the tiniest darn chance that underneath all that, they are someone you deeply respect and admire. Don’t risk losing the friendship or damaging the working relationship. Think about their positive attributes and how their contribution challenges and supports your growth. 
   

Use competition in a healthy way 

Healthy competition supports our growth and success, helping us to become higher-performing members of the team. Learn to channel your competitive streak inward and use it to challenge yourself to be the best version you can be.