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Business Etiquette: Five Tips to Handling Office Jealousy

19 Feb 2015 By: Diane Gottsman

Handling Jealousy in the Office

Congratulating your coworker for a job well done shows respect and support.

When a colleague gets a promotion or lands a new client, the celebration may be dulled by the little voice inside your head that says, “She has all the luck.” Professional jealousy can drain your energy, lower your productivity, and raise your stress level. Instead of feeling bitter, try these 5 business etiquette tips to deal with the unpleasant feelings that arise when the green eyed monster (jealousy) rears its ugly head.

  1. Congratulate the other person. It’s not only the right thing to do, you will be a better person because you made an effort to show your support. It’s also a good first step in building your professional character. [Tweet “Recognizing someone else’s accomplishment is a leadership skill.”]
  2. Be honest with yourself. While it may make you feel better to dismiss your coworker’s success as favoritism or good fortune, take an honest look at the things they are doing to stand out. Use it as a measure for you to follow.
  3. Keep your game face on. If you need to vent about a coworker who seemingly can do no wrong, don’t do it at work. Save the conversation for a trusted confidant who is far removed from the office. She may have some insight about what you can do to improve your performance. Make a list of your own accomplishments and set some new goals for yourself.
  4. Play nice. If you find yourself subtly sabotaging a coworker (for example, by not inviting them to lunch with the rest of the group), you are heading into dangerous territory. Don’t do or say anything you will regret down the road.
  5. Get motivated. Feeling challenged when someone else advances may be a sign that you are not fulfilling your own potential. View their achievement as evidence that it’s possible for you to reach their level and beyond. Sit down with your supervisor in order to determine the steps needed for you to grow. Healthy competition can motivate you to do your best. Don’t get so blinded by their light that you lose sight of your own.

Staying focused, finding fresh inspiration in everyday moments, and becoming more and more positive will pave the way to a happy and healthy career.

For more of my Business Etiquette tips check out my article on The Huffington Post: 5 Ways to Encourage Friendly Competition. 

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.