Healthy Competition or Bullying

There is a point in all walks of life – the workplace more so than most – where, most of us will agree, healthy competition and its capacity to deliver better performance gives way to something sinister.

Perhaps subtle to begin with, it invariably grows in toxicity until it is all-consuming, co-worker chaos erupts and competition morphs into bullying.

I didn’t quite understand these nuances when I first entered the workforce as a na?ve and bouncy young recruit, even if the industry I found myself in – prisons – was one of the most challenging environments I could have chosen.

The institutionalised behaviours and personalities I encountered – on both sides of the fence – led to a most unhappy first 12 months during which I cried a lot. On reflection my sadness was provoked by both the stark realities of the fragility of life and fear that by some strange quirk of osmosis I may absorb some prison-hardened traits.

While an environment liberally sprinkled with individual’s adept at making the workplace thoroughly unpleasant, I did learn a few lessons that have helped enormously over my career. I experienced, if only for survival’s sake, a meteoric rise in maturity; and I came to realise that some of the treatment I received could not be explained away as healthy competition. It was bad manners at best. I had twigged that as we experience life and mature, our perceptions of relationships change.

But perhaps most of all, I understood the vital role leadership plays in creating a healthy environment. I don’t recall seeing my boss in my work area during my probationary year, even though I am sure I desperately needed guidance and supervision.

When you take on a leadership role, your brief is clear: you must hold yourself to account and forever maintain the highest standards of visible and inspirational leadership. It can be a tough gig, but your efforts will enrich relationships and keep your reputation intact – and that’s a far better and infinitely easier option that trying to salvage and rebuild both!

Coaching, mentoring or maybe suspected misconduct in the workplace needs? Contact us for a confidential discussion; E: [email protected]