The competition is killing productivity?

Like any weapon, the competition requires caution. Wrong attitude to compete in the company can turn an efficient teamwork in poison the atmosphere "every man for himself." It is considered that the competition is a great motivation for development, especially for beginners, standing on the threshold of his career. Unfortunately, such measures do not always work, and the reason - in the wrong organization of the competition.

An excellent example can be interviewed Jodie Kinnear magazine Fast Company. Former salesperson told about the hostile and tense atmosphere that has arisen in the company Groupon because of the competition.

"Every employee of the department were given quotas that it was necessary to close every day. Quotas were given, even for beginners, in the first week of work, right after a couple of hours of training. Employees are constantly compared with each other - the company makes the list, which displays the results of each employee per day.

Every week announce the list of best and worst employees. Those who were at the head of the list, received various privileges - they were treated to pizza, allowed to work from home. And employees who find themselves at the bottom of the list, gets a long talk with the supervisor, in which they told how increase efficiency, we asked why they do not, why do not compare yourself with others and do not seek to be it's better.

Due to the ongoing race to improve performance and fear of losing their positions in the sales department it was awful atmosphere - no one went for lunch, the staff did not speak, because you can not with each other to lose any single minute. As a result, all felt miserable, and eventually Jodie Kinnear could not bear tension and quit, but many remained and continued to spoil your life. "

Change motivation

Professor of psychology from Fordham University, Paul Baard, knowingly said:

The old saying "competition finds in people all the best," deserves a magnificent funeral.

The professor advises to change the motivation, and instead of comparing winners and losers, to realize the benefit from the good work. Instead, external causes to be successful and productive, "What do I get from this job?", To find the inner "How do I get a kick out of what I'm doing?».

Baard explains that external causes are more effective in the short term, because the man clearly sees that he gets for his efforts, however, extrinsic motivation is fraught with rapid burnout emotional. In addition, foreign competition generates internal, and this often results in inappropriate behavior at work - employees start to deceive, and harm each other.

David Lewis, president of OperationsInc, says that competition does not bring us any good when managers encourage bad behavior. Managers often spoil the good organization that creates aggressive competitors-leaders who de-motivate all the remaining employees, and yet it is precisely these "small cogs" of any company ultimately affect its results.

Threat or opportunity?

On the other hand, Baard claims that employees may perceive competition and the achievement of goals in a positive way, kayfovat of creativity, collaboration and resistance. How can develop a good view of competition, and not destructive confrontation?

Firstly, it is important to understand how the competition is perceived by the brain. If the competition is similar to the experience of Jody in Groupon, and tied to public censure and disgrace, it is perceived by the brain as a threat and puts him in a state of fear unproductive fussy.

When the culture of the company is introducing competition in a positive way, in terms of rewarding and promoting successful employees, it is perceived by the brain as a chance. You are not waiting for the victory or excellence, but you have a chance to improve their results. You have the freedom of choice - you can take a chance to become better, and you do it.

Good relations with competitors

In many companies, employees are working remotely, which generates negative competition. No motivation to overtake someone if you never in his life seen and do not know anything about it.

A similar problem was with the company Phoenix Marketing International, staff scattered in different parts of the UK. To cope with this, in 2011 the company launched a social network called PMInsider, in which, immediately after the discovery, began a furious exchange of information between remote teams.

After that, the company significantly improved efficiency, and now in her 95% retention. E DeKotis, director of the company, explains this by saying that they pick up employees at a corporate culture that encourages creativity, hard work and a special attitude to customers.

How to find your way to a healthy competition?

David Hessel, CEO 15Five, told of how, in his opinion, can create healthy competition. He believes that competition can not be considered only good or only bad. She stress - can be both positive and negative.

«The company should create such an atmosphere that there was an element of competition between employees, but at the same time, they pursued a common goal for the company. This creates a sense of community"- says Hessel.

It does not matter whether the concerned sales targets, for which the team succeeded bonuses awarded or held a competition designed to strengthen relations between the teams, the result, in any case, seeks to benefit company.

In fact, it is important to know that no one loses, because all the focus is on the benefit of the company.

Hessel believes that this is part of the management task - to direct competition in the right direction. If the company's goals coincide with the direction of competition, it attracts people.

As for the staff, who works alone, for example, designers and developers, the task manager - to become a "coach", and instead of making employees feel like failures, inspire them.

What feelings must give birth to the competition?

Professor Baard claims that people in great need of intrinsic motivation. He needs to feel competent and successful, to continue its activities.

Therefore, the best choice - is to unite against a common 'enemy', for example, another company or complex goals with deadlines. It helps employees to develop, but all together, without stress and painful atmosphere in the company. On the contrary, such competition fosters team spirit and helps to win together.

A winning team - is the best victory for the company.