The Edgy Entrepreneur

Women and Business: Is Competition Healthy?

Recently, I had the honor of being in the ranks of the Top 50 Women in Social Media and the Top 50 People to Follow on Twitter. I can honestly say I am amazed and honored that someone out there thought to include me on those lists.

But after reading and listening to some of the negative commentary about who should have been where and wasn't, I started to feel something vaguely familiar. No, very familiar...and though it isn't limited to women, I am choosing today to talk about how we women relate to each other.

There are times when competition can be a healthy motivator. It can push us to succeed in ways we never thought possible. And when we create internal competition, striving to achieve new heights, we use it in a way that can lead us to great success.

The flip side, of course, is using competition to divide and create and "us and them" mentality. Using it to create a power differential or a sense of elitism is unhealthy and unnecessary. Instead of creating a zero-sum game of I have it so you don't, we can create a different paradigm that celebrates the achievements of the collective.

Let's remember that less than 100 years ago, women couldn't vote. And historically, we were considered property. Ouch...just writing that makes me cringe. Think of how far we have come in this short time...let's celebrate our achievements and use competition in a healthy way to push ourselves to reach greater heights than we ever thought possible.

Greatest Capacity for Chaos=Most Power

There are some aspects of consulting that are absolutely liberating. Being able to set my own schedule, spending time with the kids, deciding what kind of work I will do, making more money, these things are absolutely outstanding. Not knowing where the next job will come from, having to save part of the money to pay taxes, not having group health insurance, these things are really bad.

I am mostly concerned about generating regular income and health insurance. So, I am constantly scanning the net for contract opportunities. I suspect that will slow down as I build my practice. In fact, one of my friends told me yesterday that the first  6 months are the hardest...after that it is much easier.  So, I keep reminding myself of that...as I continue to worry...

I am sure these things aren't news to anyone. But they illustrate a belief that I have held most of my adult life. It is this. The person with the greatest capacity for chaos is the most powerful.

And I don't mean that in some sort of sci fi way, or even in some sort of power struggle way. I mean simply that if you have the ability to stay in an uncertain, undefined situation without impulsively responding, you will have more options. More options equal greater potential to create a higher yielding positive outcome.

Most people will respond to uncertainty and anxiety by trying to eliminate the situation that is causing those feelings. We don't like to suffer and when we "feel" something is out of whack, we want to "fix" it. By reacting impulsively, we necessarily limit our options...we can only choose from the information we have at the time. We may be cutting out options somewhere down the line that have a greater payout.

This principle is best used on informed risks...I am not talking about a metaphorical game of chicken. You must quantify the risks and decide when you will leave the situation, should it become too great of a threat to your well-being.

For example, straight out of graduate school I landed a consulting job at a local hospital. I was thrilled...more money than I had ever earned! Shortly thereafter, they were purchased by a larger network. People started losing their jobs. I thought for sure I was out of there...I really had no protection, wasn't even a "real" employee.

I immediately started looking for other work...filled with anxiety and fear, I was determined not to be unemployed. As I was searching,I remembered this principle. I assessed the risk, which essentially was none, and decided to stay put. About a month later I was hired to a full time position.

A simple example, yes, and life gets more complicated the older you are...lots of things factor into decisions, mortgage, kids, lifestyle, etc, but the principle remains the same. Assess your REAL risk (not how you feel) and determine just how far you can go before you must take action. If there is a chance that you could benefit by waiting it out, you owe it to yourself to try...

Remember, the person with the greatest tolerance for uncertainty has the potential for the greatest payoff.