Jealousy

Personality Development

Competitive feelings can spark intense rounds of self-reflection. We see someone whose career is taking off and then ask ourselves what fatal flaw prevents us from generating the dazzling output they do.

Either we are not talented enough or worse or too lazy and shy or contrarian to capitalize on it. But relying on petty jealousy to get our priorities in order is not a strategy that works long term or even a strategy at all. In the world of leadership it is very common to hear of others’ success.

If we feel jealous of other leaders we must ask ourselves, if we have lost a connection to our core, to our soul and our higher purpose. May be the truth is we never connected to it in the first place.

Once we are truly connected to ourselves, and once we know in our hearts that we are living our own personal true path, then other people’s success will make us feel genuinely happy. Because when we are genuinely fulfilled we recognize this feeling in others and we instinctively celebrate it. The career path will be laden with ups and downs, not just ours, but those around us as well.

As we bear witness to the successes and failures of colleagues, co-workers and team members, it is prudent to use those examples to lift ourselves up, not bring us down. 

Jealousy has a way of elevating fears and suspicions. It renders leadership ineffective and will ultimately cause more harm than good. Morale will be undercut. Even those with a healthy dose of self-confidence may end up envious of a colleague every now and then.

Don't react to the jealousy in a negative way, remain professional at all times.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

விழுப்பேற்றின் அஃதொப்பது இல்லையார் மாட்டும்

அழுக்காற்றின் அன்மை பெறின். (162)

सबसे ऐसा भाव हो, जो है ईर्ष्या- मुक्त ।
तो उसके सम है नहीं, भाग्य श्रेष्ठता युक्त ॥ (१६२)

Explanation by Scholars

Amongst all attainable excellence there is none equal to that of being free from envy towards others.

எவர் இடத்தும் பொறாமை கொள்ளாதிருப்பதை ஒருவன் பெற்றால் சீரிய சிறப்புகளுள் அது போன்றது வேறு இல்லை.