I would argue that the pay-off is their own need to move up in the hierarchy. Patriarchal societies (like ours, unfortunately) require certain people to be on top. Demonstrating any quality that exceeds that shown by others, is a primal way to do that.

If we were to move toward a more matriarchal society where being on top wasn't the goal, but solving societal problems and lifting everybody up together was the main objective, there would not be the need for this.

Yes, men would still need to find ways to attract the attention of women, but fortunately we don't respond well to the kind of idiocy referenced here.