While some meetings feel like productive brainstorming sessions, others feel like an Olympic event where the main sport is “one-upping.” You know what I’m talking about: that irresistible urge some people have to always get the last word in or to prove they are the smartest person in the virtual room.
We’ve all been there. You just made a point, a pretty solid one, about a project’s timeline. But before you can even mute your microphone, Bob from marketing chimes in: “Actually, not only should we consider the timeline, but we should also optimize the process using the newest data analysis techniques I read about just last night.” Cue the eye rolls.
So, why do people one-up each other in meetings?
The Psychology Behind One-Upping
There are several reasons people engage in this sort of behavior. Sometimes, it’s a need for validation, sometimes a competitive streak, and sometimes just plain insecurity. The drive to prove oneself, to feel valued, or to be perceived as indispensable can make these meetings less collaborative and more confrontational.