Competitor Vs. Collaborator: You Choose
Competition is in our blood. We are born with the need to compete, to feel the glory of winning. Whether it’s competing against another team, or competing for grades, each person feels the same satisfaction while competing for something. However, collaborating has its wholesome benefits as well. Collaborating can build friendships, trust, and provide a learning opportunity. Although both of these concepts have many benefits, they don’t exactly work for every person.
The competitors. The ones who show up to win. These are the people who don’t see losing as “an option”. These people are determined to get the results they strive for, and they can be ruthless at times. This is how they give their best performances to whatever they’re competing in. These people work their absolute hardest to achieve their goals. They don’t stop trying at something until they’re satisfied with the results. Whether it’s competing with other people, or with themselves, the competitors thrive in a serious, competitive environment.
The collaborators. The ones who work better together. These are the people who do their best in a group situation. They often get along well with other people and prefer multiple insights from multiple people instead of just their own opinion. These people shine in school environments and would ultimately choose to be working with other people rather than by themselves or against others. They truly do best in a group environment.
It is possible, however, to be both depending on the environment you are in. If a person is playing a sport, it’s obvious that they will compete against the other team and not collaborate with them. On the other hand, when placed in an environment such as school, people tend to work as collaborators, working together on group projects, presentations, and even homework assignments. Some people can be both, although for others, it can be a one way decision.
The choice, ultimately, is up to you. Are you a better competitor or collaborator? Do you work better with a group or against a component? Whichever concept gives you the most progress, is the right choice for you. As mentioned earlier, there are great benefits to being either, however it depends on the person and their own personal strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has a little bit of competitor and collaborator in them, it’s up to you to find out which one works best personally.