Nearly all successful people in business and life have a competitive nature. We want to win. We want to do what others say can’t be done. There is an undeniable adrenaline rush that comes with competition, and the thrill of victory.
But many take competition to an unhealthy place, and at great cost.
Long-term success is about creating allies, even out of competitive situations. Lasting success comes from celebrating victories and contributions other than your own and resisting the urge to stomp, just because you can.
When faced with a situation of conflict, you have a choice. Your competitive impulse may tell you to strike the other person down. But you also have the option to reach a hand out and create an unlikely ally.
It seems counterintuitive, but in many competitive situations it is easier to create an ally than to create an adversary. We underestimate the benefits that allies can bring over time, and we dramatically underestimate how much adversaries cost us in time, money and mental health!
Next time you encounter a potentially adversarial situation don’t make another enemy. Try escalating it into a partnership instead.