When Competition Is Good for Leadership Development

One of the best ways to improve in any area is to be placed with those who are better than you.

Want to raise your skiing ability?  Ski with more advanced skiers.  Want to improve at tennis?  Play against stiffer competition.  The same is true of leadership.

Constantly measuring your own record against someone else’s accomplishments can be discouraging and a waste of time…unless you can flip the scale by thinking big instead of thinking small. Envy is, after all, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. But a shift from malicious envy to something called benign envy can actually be viewed as a positive motivational force. This is when competition can lead to good.

As a leader, think smarter about your internal and external rivals. Rather than simply wishing you were more like them, identify whatever strength they exhibit that you wish you had. Then work on your corresponding weakness so, in fact, you can become more of what you admire. Companies and sports teams emulate successful foes all the time.

For example, if you admire their leadership skill as an influencer and presenter and wish you were more articulate and confident in executive meetings, focus on developing your presentation skills. Take a class and practice. Ask for opportunities and feedback.  Consider this an opportunity for leadership growth. One step at a time and you, too, will gain expertise as a speaker in personal as well as in professional circles.

Are you using your opponents to help increase your leadership capabilities?