For a start, experts said there is a false impression that competition at work only creates unhealthy dynamics and behaviours. Then, when such competition is in healthy doses, it can drive innovation, spark creativity, and motivate employees to excel.
Ms Tuyen Do from careering coaching firm The Happy Mondays Co said: “Workplace competition can be healthy when it challenges employees to adapt, innovate and perform at their best.”
Ms Do, who is a head career coach, noted that growth comes from evolving your skills and mindset, not focusing on outpacing others.
“It’s not just about competing harder, it’s about competing smarter.”
Agreeing, Ms Shin from Range Counselling Services said that friendly workplace competition is “completely normal” and can be healthy when handled well.
“(Workplace competition) can motivate us, push us to grow and encourage creativity,” she added. “But we also need to keep it in perspective. Competition should never undermine collaboration or lead to resentment.”
Ms Do said that healthy competition “energises and inspires”, but the danger is when it leads to obsession or undermines collaboration.
At that point, workplace competition can be counterproductive.
“Having balance is important. Healthy competition will help us grow; unhealthy competition breeds tension,” Ms Shin said, adding that healthy rivalry can become destructive when it shifts from growth-focused to putting others down.
Ms Do said: “The real value of competition lies in how it motivates improvement without compromising team dynamics or personal well-being.” She noted that employees often thrive in a supportive environment where they can be their best and also value the strengths of others.
“If rivalry starts to feel draining or affects trust within your team, it’s likely doing more harm than good,” she added.
Workplace competition becomes ineffective and unhealthy when the focus shifts from personal growth to constant comparison with others.
“Healthy competition should inspire collaboration and progress, not create unnecessary tension or distraction,” Ms Do said.
Here are some warning signs that trust between colleagues is at risk, the experts said:
- When people become guarded and avoid collaboration
- When they start to gossip negatively about their peers
- When they adopt a win-at-all-cost mentality that harms teamwork
COLLEAGUES WHO BLOW HOT AND COLD
Even in the most collaborative and friendly workplaces, there comes a moment when dynamics shift and ambitions collide.
At first, it may be a subtle change: Colleagues become less forthcoming, conversations feel more calculated and shared goals take on a competitive edge.
During such situations, Ms Shin said that professionals should “remain vigilant” about the overall tone of workplace interactions.
If the environment feels more hostile than supportive, it is time to address the dynamics or set boundaries to maintain balance.
Some common signs that competition affects your well-being are burnout, feelings of inadequacy and overall stress.
Other signs include the stalling of career progression if the rivalry shifts focus from skill development to one-upping others, leading to missed opportunities for genuine personal growth.
When one realises that this is happening, it is time to stop fixating on outpacing others and channel your energy into personal growth and improvement, the experts said.
One strategy that Ms Do suggested for combating such situations was to start by “identifying the root of the difficulty”.
She said that it would be helpful to pin down whether the issue was miscommunication, competing priorities, mismatched expectations, or a deeper cultural issue within the organisation.
“Understanding the cause helps you determine whether it’s something you can address directly,” she said. “Focus on what’s within your control – clarify your goals, set boundaries to protect your time and energy, and seek guidance from mentors or trusted colleagues.”
