Dealing with competition

Studying and working in a highly competitive environment can be stimulating on the one hand, and to a large extent, harmful on the other. At secondary school, almost every boy in my year behaved competitively, often adopting the damaging attitude that one's gain only occurs at another's loss.

University life is no different. A friend of mine studying at a top university explained how, when he agreed to exchange essays with his peer, he never actually received the other essay despite offering his own. Having only just started university myself, I am beginning to feel the same thing, which motivated me to write this post. 

Such examples are prevalent at university and similar ones will most certainly appear in the workplace too. I believe I am not alone in saying that this form of 'competition' is a great tragedy and potentially dangerous for our health and well-being. Let me explain why. 

The view that actions speak louder than words is almost universal. If I were to pursue the path of 'cut throat' competition, a signal would be sent to every other person in my environment, and he or she will probably refuse to collaborate with me in the future, and for good reasons too. (Simple game theory, but it's true)

Thus, even if you might feel that working on your own might benefit you in some cases, there will almost certainly be a time when you need the help of others. That help is conditional on offering your assistance when others ask for it, or at the very least, refraining from behaving ruthlessly without much care about the performance of your peers. 

I understand that too much collaboration might serve against your interests. Of course, the number of internship placements and jobs is fixed. Offering extensive advice and support to others, then, could well accelerate their appeal to employers, thereby creating more competition for you.

But what if you also benefit from the process? What if the exchange is mutually beneficial? What if in helping others, more and more people come to help you? What if you become a beacon of inspiration?

Now, admittedly, I have no serious work experience, because I am a student. However, one thing that I do know, from speaking with business leaders and CEOs, is that fulfilling favours in the workplace go a long way. 

Recently, I had the privilege to meet and talk with Vernon Hill, the Chairman and Founder of Metro Bank, also a billionaire. He explained how a key part of his success was that he provided regular favours to his business partners and investors, not often expecting something in return, but usually getting some help, perhaps in the form of capital, that significantly aided the growth of his company.

A more simple case could occur in a nightclub. For example, most people are reluctant to buy you a drink if you ask them. Yet if you buy a drink for a (new) friend, he or she is likely to return the favour later in the night.

The point is that most of us are scared to take the first step. Scared of being exploited or used. I, for one, have been exploited many times. Yet, on many more occasions, I have benefited from reaching out to, and working with, other people, who also happen to be my 'competition'. 

So you have a choice. You can either live in a very stressful environment where you are constantly assessing your competition and finding a way to be the best, though probably being unsuccessful, and more importantly, unhappy. Or you could seek to form symbiotic relationships that delivers a Win/Win outcome. I hope I have convinced you to opt for the latter option.