Competition was a motivating force from a very young age. We raced each other across the yard and yelled “I won.” Competition pushed us to try harder. It pushed us to solve problems we didn’t know how to solve and overcome obstacles we previously thought impossible. Competition and the competitive drive can help build great things.
When reports come out, winners are praised. Whether the competition is a sporting event or a business accomplishment it’s as if the force of competition was all that was needed for the success.
If, instead, only collaboration was necessary for great success, how might things look different? Reports would emphasize how the blocks and the field positioning of each player was critical to every gain. Businesses would focus on how someone in the same field as you is every day helping your business by educating the public about the benefits of the service or product. So why try? Because you love the game and want to play.
Competition at its finest is balanced in perfect equilibrium with collaboration. Two colleagues, sharing successes and failures, learning from each other while pushing themselves. Competition in isolation can motivate someone to try to weaken their competitor. That just limits the growth of both. Competition with Collaboration as respected equals skyrockets both parties.
What if Collaboration is one-sided? You move on. The number of individuals who want to build in balanced collaborative competition is in your favor. They’re waiting for you.
Mary Richardson is founder of Source Point Center where through bodywork, education and retreats individuals are able to manage or eliminate physical, emotional or mental pain. She is also a licensed massage therapist, certified CranioSacral Techniques practitioner and has a Bachelor of Science degree. Learn more about Mary and Source Point Center at the website www.sourcepointcenter.com. Or ‘Like’ Source Point Center on Facebook to stay current on the weekly specials, regular blog posts, and inspirational quotes.