According to new research from the UCL (University College London) School of Management, women take competition with other women at work too seriously, and it could be damaging their careers.

Assistant Professor Sun Young Lee found that women experience competition with same-gender co-workers more negatively than men do because female peer culture values harmony and equality, and competition is at odds with the norm of female relationships.

“As a woman who has worked across the world, I’ve long observed that women take competition with other women much more personally than men take competition with other men. My research provides support to such an observation,” Lee said.

However, competition with female co-workers could hamper women’s work relationships.The research suggests that, for organizations with a majority of female employees, competitive practices may not be the best way to organize work.

“Bosses need to be aware that competitive career structures that are effective to men may be detrimental to women,” Lee said. “At the same time, women should be aware that taking competition too seriously could be holding them back from leadership positions.”