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We all know the saying, "There's no such thing as too much of a good thing." But when it comes to shining brightly at work, sometimes more isn't always better. Sure, being recognized for your hard work and dedication is great. But if you're constantly outshining your colleagues, it could lead to resentment and jealousy. And that can create a negative and toxic work environment. So how can you strike the right balance? Here are some tips.

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The problem with shining too brightly at the workplace

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When it comes to being successful at the workplace, it can be tempting to try and stand out from the crowd through our work. While early success may lead to some recognition and rewards, this can often turn into a double-edged sword if taken too far. Shining too brightly in our day-to-day operations can shift focus away from the team as a whole and into the individual accomplishments of one or two people. Our successes should be mindful of those around us because we are only truly successful when we all rise together. By working collaboratively and emphasizing collective achievement instead of personal gain, goals become achievable for us all.

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Resentment and jealousy among colleagues and peers

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It's important to remember that competition and healthy ambition among people can often be beneficial, and it's natural to want to be successful or achieve a certain goal. But when resentment and jealousy express themselves between colleagues or peers, it has the potential to undermine morale, create an unhealthy and unproductive work environment, and corrode relationships that we would otherwise value. This isn't something we should ignore: by encouraging understanding, empathy, and a sense of shared purpose among our co-workers, we can help foster stronger relationships between everyone involved in a project or activity. Working together towards shared goals facilitates collaboration and mutual respect—elements which are incredibly important for long term success.

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A negative and toxic work environment

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A negative and toxic workplace can take a significant toll on both our physical and mental well-being. Such an atmosphere can cause us to be drained of energy, distracted from tasks, and even lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. It is important that we all take the time to recognize when our work environment is becoming detrimental to our livelihood, because it is essential to our health and productivity. Fortunately, we can work together to shift negativity into positivity by deliberately creating a kinder and more supportive culture where every employee feels heard, respected, and valued.

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Lack of trust and respect among team members

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In a successful workplace, trust and respect are essential commodities. Teams cannot effectively collaborate without them. Unfortunately, in too many situations today, we're seeing a breakdown in trust and respect among team members. This is unacceptable. We must create an atmosphere where everyone can communicate openly and respectfully, not one where people feel like their work is undervalued or their ideas go unheard. We need to foster an environment that values everyone's contributions, encourages cooperation and collaboration between team members and promotes a spirit of empathy - because when everyone feels respected, they'll be more likely to trust each other and share the same level of commitment to any shared goal. That's the kind of workplace culture that we should all strive for.

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How to avoid shining too brightly at the workplace

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I believe it is important to make sure you are a contributing, organized and respected member of the workplace. One way to achieve this is by understanding your work environment and finding ways to contribute in meaningful ways. To avoid shining too brightly it’s important to also acknowledge and listen to other perspectives, be open to learning from your colleagues, and always remain humble with recognition. Additionally, find a work-life balance that works for you and prioritize getting restful sleep so that you can perform at your best without having to overdo it. All of these measures allow us to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves without going too far or appearing arrogant. That's what will give us as individuals staying power in our careers over the long haul.


Shining too brightly at the workplace can have negative consequences for you and your colleagues. It can lead to resentment, jealousy, and a lack of trust and respect among team members. If you want to avoid these consequences, subscribe to our email list to learn more about how to navigate the professional world without shining too brightly.

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