Coworkers Competition

Does this sound like your organization? Coworkers see each other not as colleagues but as cutthroat competitors. Bravado, extreme work hours, and unreasonable risks are rewarded. And expressing emotion, especially doubt, is a sign of weakness. If those sound familiar, your workplace could have what researchers call a masculinity contest culture. And these contests can be a sign of serious organizational dysfunction. Not only do they leave women out or force them to play in a rigged system of ridiculous rules, they also short circuit teamwork, decrease innovation, and hurt the bottom line with employee turnover or harassment lawsuits. Researchers found four masculine norms that correlate strongly with organizational dysfunction. One, show no weakness. Swagger and overconfidence suppress vulnerability, uncertainty, and tenderness. Two, strengthen stamina. Even in white-collar jobs, physical strength and athleticism are prized and endurance is proven by working late into the night. Three, put work first. Commitment to the organization comes before all else, leaving no room for family, breaks, or balance. And four, dog-eat-dog, a culture where more masculine winners defeat losers in a zero-sum game and trust is scarce. Masculinity in these workplaces is under constant threat. It must be repeatedly defended, leading to even more toxic behavior.