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    Rethinking competition

    I'm working on an article suggesting how we need to rethink the whole notion of competition. In the "good ol' days" when "building community" wasn't even in people's vocabulary, competition was revered as a sacred right and good for the whole. One of the clearest indicators of failure and irresponsibility was to be "non-competitive" as a business, non-profit, or institution. Eat or be eaten: one of the hallmarks of the reptilian brain. So does competition continue to be an unquestioned value when we're building community? Does it get defined any differently in a context where community has become more important collectively than zero-sum self-interest and the assumption that one's gain can only occur at the cost of another's loss? Love to hear your thoughts and other questions ... stay tuned. Postscript: here is a brief article on breakthrough considerations: Rethinking Competition in a Local Living Networked Economy
    Tags » Appreciative living
    • 1 February 2010
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    about 2 years ago Ari Tikka responded:
    Well we are no more reptilians, so we can make allies to compete with other tribes.

    This can be pushed very far, even large corporation level. Toyota's philosophy (maybe not popular in US exactly today), has been to be fair and demanding with allies.

    One dimension of co-operation is with the customers. If you wish to collect loose money to your pocket and run, or to create true added value for the customers.

    On the other hand there will always be sibling envy and competition also inside the ally group. Then it is about dealing with conflict. Competing is a question of finding a balance. There are always common interests and conflicting interests of the players. Open and constructive way to agree might be better than instinctive competition.

    It seems really to come back to individual's decision to either aggressive or co-operative acions. Some people have difficulties with their reptilian brains, and their competition fires easily. I will not open the pandoras box here to think all background reasons and antidotes.

    about 2 years ago ROBERT SCHEPENS responded:
    "Competition" and "community" do not have to go together, even internally in business. In community, the challenge is mutual respect and collaboration. As it should be in business, but too many people in a "company" are self centered on getting "ahead" rather than working together. The very near future will change that, but many people will go ahead kicking and screaming.

  • Jack Ricchiuto's Space

    10-time author and designer with a focus on change in organizations and communities. HappinessChoice.com. Contact Jack at jack(at)happinesschoice(dot)com

  • About Jack Ricchiuto

    10-time author and designer with a focus on change in organizations and communities. HappinessChoice.com. Contact Jack at jack(at)happinesschoice(dot)com

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