Avoid Unfriendly Office Competition

In most offices you can find this person: a hypercompetitive colleague who does everything possible to get an advantage over his peers. It’s tempting to try to one-up him and put him in his place, but that’s only likely to fuel his ambition further. Instead, don’t participate in the rivalry. Continue to do your best work and expect to be recognized for it. React coolly to any criticism he hurls your way. If he says your report wasn’t good, for example, don’t take the bait. Ask dispassionately, “What makes you say so?” Invite others to offer their opinion, especially if you know they’ll back you up. If you don’t engage with the competitive attitude, it will soon become clear to others that he has an agenda.