ABSTRACT
There are origins of competitiveness that are no longer valid but which continue to influence us. Healthy competition involves the hard work and discipline to be effective and succeed. We have to change our mindset from “competitive” as pejorative to “competitive” as healthy. We can create meaning in healthy competition that transcends the mere act of competing. Nevertheless, there are tremendous societal benefits in healthy competition and open competition. The ritual of competition is ingrained from the dusty ancestry of survival. Overt competing, with clear metrics and rules and a healthy attitude, builds character and success. Covert competing usually is dysfunctional, and creates a perpetual feeling of incompletion and non-success. Healthy people tend to root even for the competition. Competition creates an adrenaline rush, and helps us meet deadlines and perform well under pressure. Yet there are times when appropriate competition is a great reconciler and consensus builder.
