Human Nature: Collaborate (not compete) to Actually Win

Competition or Collaboration?

This may challenge many people's views. Competition is NOT human nature, at least not competing against each other (not saying we are never competitive, rather it's not the most important part of humanity). If one really thinks about it, our GREATEST strength as humans, has always been our ability to work together -to collaborate. We aren't the strongest, the biggest, or the fastest of the animal kingdom, however TOGETHER we can and do thrive.

Okay. Point made. What in the heck does this have to do with business though? Traditionally, we're all taught that competition drives innovation. Consequently, it is what is best for everyone. I believe it is not always so.

I mean imagine what might have been possible if say, Tesla and Edison had teamed up instead of warring against each other?

Although only a few years into my business journey, I try to share what I learn too. I even keep colleagues in mind if there are clients I myself could not help (for whatever reason).

Anecdotally, I have an example of how collaboration, seeking to help each other, benefited everyone involved. There was a colleague, who is a bit further down the road in business than I. After hearing some issues I was facing, they offered to help. Long story short, they spent over 90 minutes of their time offering so much valuable information via a video chat. I was super grateful.

Fast forward, and I have a team headshots job with employees that are spread out geographically. Wouldn't you know, but while talking to them, we figured out that this other studio is about 20 minutes away from their employee. I was thrilled to refer them over;

I'm not suggesting that had they guarded against me as their "competitor" and not been so forthcoming/generous, that I'd refuse to refer to them. I probably would have still done so, if I had thought of it. They had helped though, and were thus top of mind when the opportunity popped up.

In the end, I spoke with them and the client and we're moving forward with collaborating on this project. It proved beneficial to many different people too -the client, myself, and the business owner who had generously helped me.

I wanted to throw this out to change up the conversation. I am big on collaborating. I don't want to ever be that person who is just "me, me, me". Don't get me wrong, if we're playing Rummy 500, I want to win -darn it! That said, I really believe that a lot of the issues we have in our world today stem from folks not realizing that collaboration is okay. The world won't fall apart if opposing teams work together.

Heck, there are many times throughout history where huge steps forward have come from massive collaborative efforts. Think of the International Space Station, or the Human Genome Project. On the other hand, pure and unchecked competition eventually leads to one winner left -aka: MONOPOLIES.

I challenge everyone to really examine your beliefs on what is most beneficial, to you and to everyone overall.

Here are some questions I have had:

1. What are some areas where I can collaborate to better effect?
2. Am I staying guarded, approaching business from a scarcity mindset?
3. Am I truly trying to help people and seek collaborations and ways I can contribute value?
4. Which is better in the long run, collaboration or competition?