The Downside of “One-Upping” a Fellow Manager
In a competitive work environment, it’s natural to want to showcase your skills and contributions. However, when managers engage in “one-upping” each other—constantly trying to outshine or override their peers—it creates more harm than good.
One major downside is the erosion of trust and teamwork. Managers should operate as a cohesive leadership team, setting the tone for collaboration across the organization. If one manager consistently undercuts or overshadows another, it fosters resentment, weakens relationships, and creates a toxic culture of rivalry instead of shared success.