The Downfall of Selfishness and Overemphasis on Individual Hard Work: Its Detrimental Effects on the Workforce

Written by Miguel Santiago

In today’s world, personal gain and individual effort have been applauded as the driving forces behind success and progress. The notion that ‘I must protect my interests’ and ‘hard work will invariably lead one to success’ dominates the workforce. Despite these beliefs’ popularity, they fuel selfishness and an unhealthy obsession with work, harming the workers themselves.

Firstly, excessive focus on personal achievement breeds a culture of selfishness, undermining teamwork and collaboration. It fosters a counter-productive ‘every man for himself’ mentality, where employees perceive each other more as competitors than as team members working towards a shared goal. Such an environment discourages trust and cooperation, which are essential for nurturing innovation and productivity.

Secondly, promoting hard work omits the crucial aspect of balance in life. By emphasising a never-ending cycle of labour and performance, it contributes heavily to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. The World Health Organization has recognised burnout as an occupational phenomenon, describing it as feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy.