Want to encourage competition? Here's how to get the most out of an internal rivalry–and make sure it doesn't get ugly.
Beware of temptations to cheat or sabotage rivals. If you reward the team with the best safety record, violations may go unreported.
Vary the size and nature of prizes. Huge awards can turn things nasty. An overemphasis on money detracts from pure pride in performance.
Reward effort as well as results. When the same people win repeatedly, everyone else loses interest.
Employees who can track their standings are more engaged and learn about the business to boot.
Competition won't improve a hostile or stressful environment. It might even render the culture toxic.
