Comments on: Why Is Competition Good?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:12:57 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts, Fred.

You have hit the nail right on the head – the tendency to stick within our safe zones is precisely what I was talking about.
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By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:58:05 +0000

Big implications for education and continual learning cycles. No longer learning to blacksmith but learning to continually learn how to blacksmith and if necessary, give up on blacksmith stuff and move into plastics. Knowledge application flexibility so that you can add value in any system. Scary, exhausting and yet exhilarating all in one.

By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:54:23 +0000

…and keep friends close and enemies closer.

By: Reading break | Managing Leadership

Reading break | Managing Leadership — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:27:59 +0000

[...] Fred H. Schlegel on competition [...]

By: J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:54:55 +0000

I always think competition is a good thing.

I have noticed that the cycles are shorter for both resource technology (such as fuel injection) and information technology (such as presentation technologies) has gotten shorter. I think this has interesting implications on life design. You used to be able to go to school, learn something, get a job and switch once or twice, then retire. It’s a new game.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..My Top 10 Lessons in Life =-.

By: LaVonn

LaVonn — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:20:29 +0000

The wise learn many things from their enemies.

- Aristophanes

By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:18:44 +0000

Hi Salman, Thanks for visiting and commenting. It’s always interesting to me which historical facts get promoted in various places. Here in the U.S. the focus was on our own space successes most of the time.

By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:15:38 +0000

Hi Andrew, I think you’re identifying here our tendency to stick in a safe zone. Why stick our necks out if no one else is. Probably why being part of a team can be so empowering. You have folks watching your back and others pushing to move forward. Nice to hear from you again and to see your adventure ended safely!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:15:50 +0000

Hi Fred,

I would say that there would be little doubt that competitive forces act as a stimulant for creativity, and off the top of my head, I would have thought that there would have been at least two reasons why this is indeed the case.

First, there is the ‘pain’ to which Brad refers to above, whereby fear of the consequences of being left behind by the competition (both financial and emotional consequences) – very few of us would find the prospect of being ‘left behind’ a particularly pleasant prospect.

Secondly, there is the extent to which the behavior of others influences that of our own. Whilst some people are naturally blessed with a truly pioneering spirit, and will be prepared to go places that no man has gone before, I feel that for many, our behavior is influenced by that of others. If no-one else is exhibiting particularly innovative behavior in our field, then it may all too easy for us to sit back and feel as though we have reached the top or gone as far as there is to go. But if others are hot on our heels, this tends to have an impact on our propensity to feel that we can go further and that there is more progress to be made.
.-= Andrew´s last blog ..Back home/back online! =-.

By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:56:25 +0000

Hi Kay, I’m not sure competition only works for the entrepreneurial at heart. The power of competition to motivate can move many groups of people to accomplish surprising things. I’ve been recently thinking about ways it might work to benefit social services and health care. While the economic win drives most of us, so does the idea of being first or best – which can come from many different achievements. Thank you for visiting and adding to the discussion!