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Competition Versus Collaboration in Motherhood and Business

by Britt Michaelian

In the old model of business, the thought was that you needed to outsmart your competition if you wanted to “win”.

Yuck.

Fortunately, not all entrepreneurs subscribe to this way of thinking and have seen the power that collaboration can bring to business.  For mom entrepreneurs and moms without businesses, competition can eat up friendships and make you look like a real jerk.  However, if you see your fellow mom as an asset and an ally, you may find that you can accomplish more in less time and have fun in the process.

The mindset of competition is a thing of the past, but does that mean that we should completely lose our competitive nature?

What is the happy medium for competition versus collaboration in business and motherhood and how do we leverage our skills and natural strengths to not only succeed, but to teach our children the value of giving to others?

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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  • http://www.melaniward.com Melani Ward

    HI Britt,

    “Does that mean that we should completely lose our competitive nature?” I definitely don't think it's an either or proposition. Telling some people to lose their competitive nature is like telling them to lose their personality. On the other hand some people are not at all competitive by nature (like me).

    Collaboration is also a natural thing for some people and not for others. It's not about being one or the other or more or less of the other. I think it is all about the intentions you bring to the table each day. You can be competitive while also supporting and collaborating.

    You can only be who you are. Obviously we all have a choice about who we hang with. Personally I like to hang with people who love to share their wins with me and who love it when I do well too. If that's not there from the outset, what's the point of the relationship?

  • brittmichaelian

    Like you, Melani, I am not a big competitor. But, I can get competitive if necessary to get the job done! ;)

    You are absolutely right, it is not a one or the other thing- collaboration or competition, but it is an interesting dynamic to be aware of in business and life. As you said, you can only be who you are, so knowing where we stand will help us to be the best we can be (whether we are competitors, collaborators or both). Thanks Melani!

  • http://wowisme.net/ Adryenn Ashley

    I used to “compete” with my friend who was a Chiropractor. I'd make 6 figures, then she'd double that, then I'd one up her, then she hit mid-6 figures and I was like, DAMN! But it was good healthy competition in the the spirit of, “If I can do it you can do it,” pulling each other along.

    I don't think competition is bad per se, but the collaborative spirit in business is always better. I use the competition gene when I see someone has accomplished something and I say to myself, “I can do that!”

    My competition gene is made from the Olympic Spirit rather than the pump and dump Enron fiasco. It's all in how you use it that determines what you get out of it and what benefit it brings to society as a whole. And while I have external benchmarks, my most competitive nature is always within myself, holding myself up to my own expectations and trying to exceed them.

  • http://twitter.com/NikaStewart Nika Stewart

    Hi Britt!
    I think a lot of competition comes from a “fear” or “lack” mindset. (If I share, they will be taking something away from me. There isn't enough to go around.)

    With an abundance mindset – knowing that giving and sharing always gets you more, and that there is an unlimited supply of everything we need – we are open to collaborate. It is a win-win!

  • brittmichaelian

    Yes, Nika! That is exactly right! It's the abundance mentality that is the true winner. You are right on!

  • brittmichaelian

    “And while I have external benchmarks, my most competitive nature is always within myself, holding myself up to my own expectations and trying to exceed them. ” This is fabulous. Well, that and that you likened entrepreneurs to the Olympic spirit! ;) Being an entrepreneur is totally like being an Olympic athlete! lol- The “I can do that!” part of competition is what propels each of us to become entrepreneurs in the first place. And the gold medal is all about the cash in our bank accounts. Great analogy, Adryenn. Thanks!

  • http://www.befitenough.com Susie Shina

    Good one Britt! I believe the more we trust our personal power the more we can let go of competition. I read somewhere that 'there is no competition for your personal destiny' – that alone is a big sigh of relief! A little friendly competition never hurt anyone – as long as everyone is on the same page … same goes for collaboration too. I recently found a 'collaborative spirit' who was really only interested in giving to get. Sometimes we confuse collaboration with trade. Collaboration is working together for the greater good – trade is what i call 'back-scratching' … again, it's all good as long as everyone is on the same page=)

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