I’ll confess, I love some healthy competition. I’ve been known for throwing down the gauntlet to teammates to spur myself and them to lift our performance.
It is game on.
Creating a competition of it, makes it fun, brings the energy and motivates me to try harder. I call it ‘healthy’ as it is held lightly and doesn’t get in the way of sharing resources, information and what works with others.
I also don’t get too hung up on who actually wins. A little sledging or winner skiting makes for great banter. But that’s the sum total of what is at stake.
In the end everyone wins.
The individuals lift performance. The team collectively achieves results.
Holding an abundant mindset and belief there is enough for everyone to be successful is essential and requires constant attention.
Ironically, this is evidence of a collaborative culture, not a competitve one.
In a competitive team, you will find:
- Individual employee reward or incentive schemes that pit employees against each other, not working together.
- Group members hoarding and hiding information and resources.
- Conversations and complaints that are negative towards others and highlight failings in an attempt to make an individual ‘look good’.
- Individual personalities prioritised above the group’s interests.
- Language and behaviours of a scarcity mindset.
What do you notice in your team?
