Professional Jealousy

Making a difference should be something to celebrate, especially in a field as vital as dementia.

A few years ago, I felt a sense of celebration after delivering an engaging dementia information session. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and made a real impact. But a few days later I learned that false information about this session was being shared, something that had the potential to harm my reputation. I encountered something I wasn’t prepared for - professional jealousy.

I have spent the last decade improving the lives of people affected by dementia. My work is about education, advocacy, and ensuring individuals living with dementia, as well as their families and care partners receive the support they deserve. My goal has always been to collaborate with others; professionals, organisations, and communities to create meaningful change.

Along the way, I found that not everyone saw things the same way. I have been questioned, and undermined. It often came from people within the very sector I believed was built on compassion and shared purpose.

Why Does Professional Jealousy Exist?

At first, I struggled to understand it. I asked myself:

Why would people working in dementia care, people who should be striving for the same goal try to bring me down?

What have I done to deserve this?

Why do my achievements seem to unsettle others instead of inspiring collaboration?

I felt sick, anxious, confused, and, at times, deeply disheartened. Working in dementia isn't about who does it best it’s about working together to make real change.

I simply could not comprehend why anyone would prioritise rivalry over impact.

Through reflection and conversations with trusted mentors, I came to understand something important: professional jealousy is not really about me. It stems from how others perceive their own progress in relation to mine.

I’ve had people tell me:

“If you put your head above the parapet, expect to be shot down”.

“You’re a victim of your own success”.

Whilst there is some truth to those words, it doesn’t mean its easy to deal with. However, they have taught me valuable lessons about resilience, purpose, and the realities of professional life even in a field dedicated to care and compassion.

Understanding Professional Jealousy

“Professional jealousy is a feeling of resentment or envy toward a colleague's, success, skills, or career progress. In dementia care, it can manifest when individuals or organisations feel threatened by another’s recognition or influence.

While some level of comparison is natural, jealousy becomes harmful when it leads to negativity, gossip, or even sabotage. Instead of working together to improve dementia care, some people fall into a mindset of competition, forgetting that real progress happens when we lift each other up”.

Reframing the narrative in my mind

I had a choice: let these experiences drain me or use them as fuel. I chose the latter. Instead of internalising the negativity, I focused on what I could control, my response, my integrity and the commitment to my mission.

Tips which helped me:

Focusing on purpose - my priority remains improving dementia care and supporting those affected.

Choosing collaboration over competition - way to counter jealousy is to keep working with those who truly care about making a difference.

I have come to realise jealousy often comes from insecurity, not malice. It’s not about me it’s about how others see their own progress.

Building resilience - others reactions are not my responsibility.

Dementia is too important to be overshadowed by competition. If we truly want to make a difference, we must support each other, share knowledge, and recognise that another person's success does not diminish our own.

When we collaborate we change lives.

Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter” author unknown

Gina Awad is a Dementia Consultant and Advocate and the author of “United: Caring for our loved ones living with Dementia”.