Teamwork is the cornerstone of every growing company. After all, it’s much easier to succeed with people who have your back. Bonds forged in the workplace are hard to break thanks to their importance for survival in the professional world. Still, employees can hone these bonds through friendly rivalries. Some people love competition, and competition does breed innovation. Still, these teamwork activities are best experienced in a light and stress-free work environment.
What’s the point of competition in the workplace?
Competition is a driving force behind human excellence. Whether through sports, science, or academics, people enjoy the pursuit of self-improvement. For example, many scientific breakthroughs are fueled by the desire of scientists to leave their mark on the world.
With so many intelligent people in the world, working fast matters just as much as working smart, hence the competitive spirit. Seeing others succeed drives us to be successful ourselves. Competitive spirit is an invaluable asset in a world that forces professionals to adapt to new things daily.
Benefits of friendly competition in the workplace
Now that you understand why people compete, you are better equipped to understand the advantages that team-building events can bring. Friendly competition in the workplace lets people hone their skills in a safe and validating environment.
Team building
Friendly competition in the workplace promotes teamwork by encouraging employees to collaborate and support each other. Team-based sports such as basketball or even multiplayer video games like Counter-Strike require a certain amount of synergy between people to be optimal. By participating in team-based activities and challenges, colleagues develop a sense of unity and strengthen the team’s cohesiveness.
Enhanced communication skills
Friendly competition requires employees to coordinate strategies, delegate tasks, and provide feedback. Even minor miscommunications could mean the team’s loss, so people are more focused on what they say and listen more attentively. These skills transfer over to clear and concise communication skills. Such communication skills are essential for building strong working relationships within the team.
Encourages innovation
They say necessity breeds innovation, and people often find it necessary to win at things. Friendly competition inspires employees to think creatively and explore innovative solutions to challenges. By brainstorming new strategies for competition, employees are motivated to push boundaries and contribute fresh ideas to the workplace.
Develops leadership skills
Participating in workplace competitions allows employees to showcase and develop their leadership abilities. Some people don’t know they can step up until an opportunity presents itself. Sure, it’s not a massive work project, but those skills are easily transferable to a workplace environment. Going from captain of the soccer team to department manager might be a thinner line than expected.
Hones healthy habits
Workplace competitions promote health and wellness by encouraging employees to adopt healthier habits. Whether through fitness challenges, step competitions, or good old team sports, employees are motivated to prioritize their well-being and support each other in achieving health goals.
Relieves stress
While these competitions do train essential soft skills, stress relief is still one of the biggest reasons to hold them. Engaging in friendly competition serves as a welcome break from the pressures and demands of work, allowing employees to unwind, have fun, and alleviate stress. Sharing laughs and enjoying activities with colleagues helps employees recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Things to avoid with competitions
While these benefits are great, competition can quickly turn nightmarish with poor management. The double-edged sword of competition is that while it can form bonds, it can also result in a toxic workplace. Avoid these common pitfalls when planning competitive events.
Leaderboards
While leaderboards may add excitement for competitions, they also create unnecessary pressure and strife among employees. Avoid relying on leaderboards to measure success. These performance metrics could overshadow individual contributions and discourage collaboration. High-performance teams may get smug and breed resentment among those not performing as well.
Trash talk
Encourage a respectful and supportive environment by discouraging trash talk or derogatory comments among participants. Negative interactions can quickly escalate, which could ruin an otherwise joyful event. Keep a close eye on any employees trying to buck this rule. Pull them aside and tell them to avoid trash talk in the future. Don’t publicly call them out, as that in itself is trash talk.
Forced participation
Avoid forcing employees to participate in competitions against their will. Not every employee has the skills or motivation to participate in certain contests. Forcing them when they do not want to will make them less likely to participate in the future. Worse, their participation could hamper the enjoyment of other players as well. Respect their preferences and allow participation to be voluntary.
Favoritism
Ensure fairness and transparency by avoiding any hint of favoritism or bias in competition management. Treat all participants equally and provide equal opportunities for success. Favoritism will damage morale within the team, and they will underperform feeling that what they do doesn’t matter since they aren’t the “favorites.”
Not providing rewards
Recognize and reward participants for their efforts and achievements in competitions. Whether through tangible prizes, acknowledgment, or other forms of recognition, rewards motivate employees and reinforce a positive competitive spirit. Failing to provide rewards may diminish motivation and enthusiasm for future competitions.
Final Thoughts
Friendly competition is a fantastic way to build connections in the workplace. These competitions are not just for fun. They also act as genuine avenues for self-improvement. However, the organizers must maintain a healthy and respectful environment in these competitions. Any misstep could backfire on the event’s intended goal of improving teamwork.