When a colleague lands a promotion or opportunity you want, it’s natural to feel envious. That uncomfortable feeling can tell you something useful about your own ambitions. Here’s how to turn envy into motivation rather than resentment. 

Acknowledge the feeling. Don’t ignore or suppress your envy, and resist the urge to criticize the person you’re comparing yourself to. Instead, recognize it as a signal that something deeply matters to you. 

Identify what you really want. Look beyond the promotion, recognition, or achievement you’re envying. What deeper desire does it represent? Perhaps it’s surfacing unmet goals, such as financial security, more meaningful work, or leadership opportunities. 

Learn from the person you envy. Pay attention to their habits and skills. What can you emulate? When appropriate, offer a genuine compliment and ask how they achieved something you admire.  

Take one small step. Identify a specific action that will bring you closer to your goal. It could be something you can practice this week—or even in the next 20 minutes.

Adapted from When You Feel Envy, Turn It Into Something Productive by HBR IdeaCast

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