Competition is good at work – until it isn't

"There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend." - Katharine Butler Hathaway

I read a story once about two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend the day keeping tabs on each other’s businesses. If one got a customer, he would smile triumphantly at his rival.

One night, an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, “I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?”

The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then he said, “Here is my request: strike me blind in one eye!” 

The story is a humorous example of what having a rival or competitor looks like and reinforces the idea that we need to lean more towards camaraderie and find ways to encourage one another.

In far too many workplaces, we see cultures of unhealthy competition instead of healthy collaboration. Getting ahead seems to be more important to some than getting along.
However, it will come as no surprise that productivity and workplace culture improve significantly with recognition and with seeing each other as colleagues, not competitors.

In a Nectar State of the Workplace survey, respondents weighed in by affirming the following:

- 83.6% of employees surveyed said that recognition drives their motivation to succeed at work.

- 77.9% of employees surveyed said they would be more productive if their employer recognized them more frequently.

- 81.9 % of employees said that recognition for contributions improves employee engagement.

These statistics should not surprise any leader who sees, recognizes, and values their team members. Good leaders understand this and make it a practice.

CHECK YOUR EGO AND CHEER

Let me ask you, who are you cheering for? Can you celebrate the successes and wins of those around you, even when not experiencing one yourself? 

As a leader, your ability to cheer on those around you happens when these three things happen. You can cheer others when you set aside your ego.

The leadership lesson here is simple – it’s not about you.

You will be a more secure leader when you acknowledge and embrace this fundamental leadership principle. When you can check your ego at the door, you win and are now positioned to cheer those around you with no hidden agenda or motive. 

You can cheer others when you value the team over yourself.

Your team will succeed when they see what they do as something greater than themselves. While roles, responsibilities, and contributions will vary, the team wins when each person values the team over self. 

You can cheer others when you don’t care who gets the credit.

Lao Tzu said, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” And this is the beauty of your role as a leader – to shine the light on others as the wins are celebrated.

Who are you cheering for today?

Learn more at dougdickerson.net/. Email Doug at Dougdickersonleadership@gmail.com. ©2026 Doug Dickerson