February 4,1999

Competition vs Collaboration

Lately, I've been drawn into a debate. It has to do with Competition vs Collaboration.

In the business world I have observed people who work together as associates and colleagues, and others who struggle, groan and complain about "competition."

Competition is naturally a part of the world of sports and sales, but I've seen it through every business, even in the nonprofit sector and with volunteer charity.

Some people think its necessary to "one-up" other people who are in the same type of business. They reveal the need to push forward, even if means knocking someone else down in the process.

In my personal experience, however, I have noticed that put-downs never build integrity, and do more harm to business than good.

Ultimately we are all players in a community made up of hundreds of thousands of people, in fact millions and billions if you look at the global scale. There is way too much business potential out there to worry about competition. In fact, the attitude of collaboration and helping your fellow associates/colleagues goes in your favor.

People view collaborators as someone they can trust, someone who values your business as well as one's own and will be a good reference, referral, and friend to you.

I'm a community-minded person, and as such, feel that when I help someone else, I really help myself. When you are willing to praise and support and help your "competitor" you send good vibes, goodwill, and good business, that comes around to help you in the end.

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