One anecdote from Carol Channing in the recent PBS special “Broadway: The American Musical” described how legendary star Al Jolson used to run water backstage so he didn’t have to hear the applause that other performers were receiving. He couldn’t stand the audience recognizing someone else.

Workers’ and managers’ insecurities manifest themselves in all sorts of ways, but jealousy and resentment over a colleague’s success seems to be most common. Insecure bosses will steal credit for subordinates’ ideas, and often see talented people as a threat rather than an asset.

Even superstars can get caught up in jealousies. Kobe Bryant is now “the man” with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he’ll have a heck of a time winning “the championship” without Shaquille O’Neal.

Some companies unwittingly encourage this. They talk about wanting team players, but base compensation on individual accomplishments. That discourages people from supporting one another.

But do it anyway. People will notice.

Besides talent, the biggest influence on career success is networking. If you help a team succeed, colleagues and smart bosses will know it. When jobs come open and you ask for their help, you’ll get it.

That’s true even if you consider yourself a star. Some stars are selfless, others prima donnas. If you fit into the latter category, people will put up with you, but your first misstep will be a big one.

One bit of reality TV worth remembering: In the recent finale of “The Apprentice,” two major reasons cited for why Kelly was chosen over Jennifer were that the teams he was on performed better than hers, and he got along with people better than she did.

Those qualities will get you ahead — in reality TV and in reality.