When we speak of competition, we typically think of areas in our lives that represent good ways to compete, such as in sports. However, we know stories in sports where excessive competition has cause things to go awry: The overzealous coach who wants to win at any cost; the pro athlete, a prospective all-time great, who gambles on his own team and gets banned from the sport; the ice skater who tries to eliminate her toughest opponent to have a better opportunity to win championship gold and glory. Whether in sports, business or any other area of life, competition can be good or bad. It all depends on the set of rules that you follow.
Consider a business that establishes a Competitive Analysis Department. A company can discover incredible information through legitimate sources, staying within by the rules of ethics and fair practice. Rules God declares in the Bible include not lying, cheating or stealing (including people you work with). Sometimes it may seem more costly to abide by the rules and risk huge opportunities to gain a competitive advantage and a corresponding market share increase; the alternative is to compete unfairly. But in the long run you will reap the rewards – a clear conscience, a sterling reputation, unquestioned integrity, and the trust of present and future customers.
Competition in the marketplace can inspire you and your company to levels of achievement you probably would not have even imagined without a passionate, competitive pursuit of excellence. In 2000, I underwent deep brain stimulation surgery to treat my Parkinson's Disease. I was pleased when it worked successfully. In fact, I had the procedure done twice. I consider being able to walk, talk and function normally today nothing short of a miracle. Yet, I'm sure competition played a vital role in bringing about development of the Medtronic Device that essentially replaces lost connections in my brain with needed electronic stimulation. The physicians have not figured out why it works; they just know that it does.
Why would the researchers from Medtronic want to offer these devices unless: 1) they were good for the patients; 2) they were profitable; and 3) the technology provided a competitive advantage over its competitors? The reason I selected this approach was because it was the most excellent solution available for me – above and beyond anything else I could find on the market.
Competition that plays by the rules – God’s rules – always ultimately gains the advantage. This approach keeps a long-term, eternal perspective and never forgets about the people involved in the process – the employees, customers, shareholders, even the observing public. Consider some of the things God says about competition in His “business manual”, the Bible:
Competing with a clear sense of purpose: “Everyone who competes in the games goes intostrict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).
Competing according to the established, agreed-upon rules. “Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5).
Competing for the wrong reasons. “Then I observed that most people are motivated tosuccess by their envy of their neighbors” (Ecclesiastes 4:4).
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles that relate to competition, consider the following passages: Proverbs 12:22, 16:11, 21:6; Matthew 7:12, 22:37-40; Philippians 2:3,4