1. They downplay your achievements
One telltale sign of jealousy is when a colleague diminishes your accomplishments or tries to take credit for your work. They might imply that your success is due to luck or external factors rather than your effort and abilities.
What to do: Maintain confidence in your achievements and acknowledge their contributions where appropriate. Assertively communicate the value of your work, keeping a record of your accomplishments, and sharing them with your superiors when needed.
2. They exclude you from social or professional activities
A jealous colleague may try to isolate you by excluding you from meetings, social events, or important discussions, making you feel unwelcome or hindering your success.
What to do: Approach the situation openly. If you feel excluded, take the initiative to join relevant meetings or discussions. Show interest in team activities and offer your insights. Demonstrating your commitment to collaboration can help ease the tension.
3. They spread gossip or rumors about you
Jealous colleagues might resort to spreading rumours or gossip in an attempt to damage your reputation, leading to a toxic work environment.
What to do: Confront the colleague privately and calmly to clarify any misunderstandings and express your desire for a professional relationship. If the behaviour continues, consider escalating the issue to HR.
4. They constantly compare themselves to you
A jealous colleague might frequently compare their work, achievements, or recognition to yours, often in a competitive or negative manner, creating discomfort and straining relationships.
What to do: Avoid engaging in the comparison game. Focus on your work and continue to support your colleagues. Promote a team-oriented mindset by celebrating collective achievements and reinforcing the idea that everyone has unique strengths.
5. They sabotage your efforts
In more extreme cases, jealousy can manifest as sabotage, where a colleague deliberately tries to obstruct your success by withholding information, disrupting your projects, or creating obstacles.
