When Green Is Mean

Signs of Envy

Envy is so socially undesirable we disguise it from ourselves. Still, you can't pull a weed unless you spot it. Here, some of envy's signs:

• You avoid cooperation because you don't want others to benefit.
• There's something you just don't like about a person, but you can't put it into words. (Lots of possible explanations; envy is one often overlooked.)
• You are critical of traits in a colleague that did not formerly bother you.
• Ugly verbal toads are hopping out of your mouth about a coworker who has experienced a recent success.
• You account for another's success by pointing to his special privileges.
• You feel picked on, burdened. Why do other people get all the breaks?