What to Do When Your Colleague Begins to Achieve and You Don't: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

In Healthcare, we often find ourselves working tirelessly to provide the best care possible. The demands are constant, the challenges are intense, and the rewards—though fulfilling—can sometimes feel fleeting. So what happens when a colleague begins to shine, earning recognition, awards, and praise for their work? It's natural to feel a mix of emotions—pride, inspiration, and perhaps, a little envy.

But how you handle these emotions can make a difference, not just for your professional growth, but for the overall success of your healthcare team. Here's how to turn your colleague's success into an opportunity for growth and collaboration.

1. Celebrate their success as a victory for your patient care

One Healthcare Professionals' success often translates into better outcomes for the patient. When your colleague excels—developing a new protocol, improving patient satisfaction, or innovating a treatment method—it benefits the entire team. Instead of viewing their achievements as competition, recognize that their success is a step forward for you.

Teams with high levels of psychological safety—where members feel safe to take risks and celebrate each other's successes—are more effective and achieve better patient outcomes. Celebrating your colleague's achievements contributes to a positive work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.

2. Turn Envy into Professional Growth

Envy is a natural human emotion but doesn't have to be negative. Instead of letting it fester, use it as a catalyst for your own professional development. If your colleague is exceptionally skilled in an area you admire, such as patient communication or research, take the opportunity to learn from them. Ask questions, seek their advice, or consider further education or training.

Incorporating insights from a recent Psychology Today article, we can see that children from different cultures respond to success in ways that reflect broader societal values. American children may see success as a personal triumph, while Chinese children often view it as the result of collective effort. In Healthcare, adopting a dual perspective—being proud of your own achievements while recognizing the collective effort behind every success—can help turn envy into motivation.

3. Support Their Success to Strengthen Your Team

Teamwork is the cornerstone of effective Healthcare. By supporting your colleague's success, you're not just helping them—you're contributing to the entire team's strength. Offer your congratulations, ask how you can assist, and show genuine interest in their work. This fosters a collaborative environment where everyone is encouraged to excel, leading to better patient care.

A study published in the Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics found that Healthcare teams with strong, supportive relationships among members reported higher levels of job satisfaction and better patient outcomes. Being a supportive colleague enhances your professional environment and contributes to the well-being of those under your care.

4. Stay Focused on Your Own Professional Goals

It's easy to get distracted by the success of others, but remember, your journey is unique. Setting clear, personal goals and focusing on achieving them is a powerful way to stay motivated and control your professional development. Whether advancing your education, improving patient care, or developing a new protocol, staying focused on your path ensures that your contributions are meaningful and aligned with your professional aspirations.

Focusing on your goals can help you avoid the pitfalls of comparison and keep you motivated to continue your professional development.

Turning Success into Collaboration

When a colleague achieves something great, it's natural to feel a mix of emotions. But by celebrating their success, using envy as motivation, supporting their achievements, and staying focused on their goals, you can turn these feelings into a force for positive change in your professional life. Every team achievement ultimately leads to better patient care, which we can all take pride in.

Remember, success in Healthcare isn't a zero-sum game. Every team achievement ultimately leads to better patient care, and that's something we can all take pride in.

Final Thought

The next time a colleague begins to achieve, ask yourself: Will you let it be a source of frustration, or will it inspire you to contribute even more to the cause of healing and care?

References:

• "The Power of Psychological Safety."?Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from
• "How American and Chinese Children React to Achievement."?Psychology Today. ?
• "Health care professional development: Working as a team to improve patient care."?Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics