What To Do when Yayas Compete with One Another

Competition is not necessarily a bad thing. It may not present the best situation, but then again, it can be an opportunity to bring out the best in your staffers instead of their worst.


Teamwork is key
Always remind your employees that teamwork is probably one of the most important factors in creating harmony in the workplace. More importantly, in a situation where people are meant to live together – teamwork and cooperation cannot be taken for granted. After all, what household does not have last minute emergencies or unforeseen events? If staffers refuse to work together, then long-term solutions will be impossible.


Get to the root of the problem
When two staffers are at odds with one another, it is important to get to the bottom of the situation. Are they motivated to outdo each other for the sheer desire to test their individual limits and do their genuine best or do they just want their colleague to look bad regardless of the cost?

If it is the latter, then you must, as the head of your household staff, get to the root cause of the competition. Did anything grave enough transpire that would merit such actions? Was anything said whether directly or indirectly that would allow one to push the limits with regard to what is fair and just? For all you know, such animosity could be the result of a misunderstanding, miscommunication and perhaps a basic lack of comprehension or guidance. Either way, you should not let the situation fester but rather, take action to control whatever damage has already been inflicted.


All about the ties that bind
You must explain to your staffers that the value of the work they complete is not necessarily determined only by its practical outcome, but rather also by the energy and intention that was attached to it. Remind them that everyone in your household including yourself works for the betterment of the entire whole, not only for a select few. All households at the end of the day are about families and ties that bind, not those that destroy.

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Be prepared to make a hard decision
Should one or both your staffers refuse to listen to reason, then perhaps it would not be too far-fetched to consider letting one or both of them go. Such a decision would send the clear message that although you espouse patience, you will not tolerate any unreasonable or destructive behavior. Keeping the situation status quo may actually infect the rest of your household with negative emotion/perspectives. Hence, better to get rid of the rotten apple rather subjecting the others to the dangers of such negativity.

This, of course, would be the extreme case, however, you must be prepared to put your foot down in matters that concern the genuine well-being of your household. Cooperation is always key to any harmonious relationship. Nothing or no one is worth jeopardizing that, even if things are done under the guise of “just doing their best”.

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