A selfish team member is a common yet tricky issue that every leader faces. When a colleague hoards resources, withholds vital information, and prioritizes personal success over collective progress, it can undermine trust, morale, and ultimately, productivity. How should you respond to such behavior and turn things around?
In today’s episode, we explore the roots of selfishness in teams, tracing it back to evolutionary psychology, where human survival depended on both cooperation and hoarding resources. We unpack the psychological and social factors that drive selfish behavior today and explore tips for turning a selfish team member into a collaborative one.
As a leader, your actions set the tone for the entire team. You must address both the selfish behavior and the culture it creates to foster a climate of collaboration and trust in your organization.
In this episode:
- Evolutionary roots of selfishness in teams
- The role of psychological safety in collaboration
- Practical strategies to combat selfishness
- Key takeaways and call to action
Resources Used in the Episode:
Boehm, C. (1999). Hierarchy in the Forest: The Evolution of Egalitarian Behavior. Harvard University Press: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674006911
Grant, A. (2013). Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success. Viking. https://a.co/d/30A7pbi
Henrich, J., & Gil‑White, F. J. (2001). The evolution of prestige: freely conferred deference as a mechanism for enhancing the benefits of cultural transmission. Evolution and Human Behavior, 22(3), 165–196: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-17993-001
Van Vugt, M., & Smith, J. E. (2019). A dual model of leadership and hierarchy: evolutionary synthesis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(11), 952–967: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629633/
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