Ever wonder about “competitive spirit”, what exactly does that mean and how can one get it, but also foster it? Just like GRIT, believe this leader attribute to be fiercely underrated and underdeveloped…one that’s not fostered as much as it should be. As we explore this, I want you to think about this from a “yourself” stance but also the “team” you are part of, lead or manage. Let’s first break down the combined words to get a better sense of what exactly are we saying. Having come across this a few times during my career both personally and professionally, again I really wanted to explore this deeper. This is something not everyone has nor does every team have…you know it when it’s there, but you feel it when it’s not. When you have a leader or coach who fosters this or has it, WOW does it stand out but also feels great…it’s something you want to be around, contagious! Again, much like grit…can we identify this “competitive spirit” in ourselves, people we lead, manage, coach, to include teams and organizations that we are part of? Believe we can and should…how can we identify this faster and quickly pivot to FOSTER it, allowing growth within us and/or the teams we are part of? To often I see and hear of “leaders, managers, coaches, teams, organizations” crushing this instead.
Competitive; Relating to or characterized by competition. Wanting very much to win or be more successful than other people. Having a strong desire to compete or succeed. Striving for excellence, setting high standards.
Spirit; The nonphysical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul. The engine room. Qualities regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person, nation, or group or in the thought and attitudes of a particular period. Emotional state.
Combine the two, believe you have the elements of elite effort, determination, energy, desire and focus to name a few! Sounds like something 100% of the executives I coach and work with to include athletes and coaches alike would love to have and foster! Who wouldn’t want this for themselves or the teams they are responsible for? Asking, again as I have seen and heard what I just described getting put out as quickly as it ignited. Why? Is this a blind spot? Is this a result of imposter syndrome? Lack of confidence in established leaders, managers, coaches? Lack of awareness and what this attribute can deliver?
How do you create and develop a competitive spirit? In short this comes down to our ability to create and develop certain habits, mindsets and attitudes…
1. Be ok failing. Learn to study failure. Failure is just our process…embrace it and identify how and where you can sharpen your sword. Understand you are growing here.
2. Establish clear goals. If they aren’t written down, they don’t count…ESSENTIAL TASK
3. Do well with challenges. Work to be resilient…lean in. Learn to be out of your comfort zone.
4. Do something your passionate about…intrinsic motivation. Barely controllable passion. Love.
5. Understand your fundamentals and practice consistently. What do you do well and naturally? Refine, refine…through feedback sources.
6. Practice mental reps. Learn to watch others and apply feedback to yourself. You only get so many reps, but you can get mental reps from others if we turn your mind that direction. You’ll get better quickly this way.
7. Create/be mindful of positive self-talk…positive mindset. We are what we tell ourselves we are!
8. Get involved in teams. Find a way to be part of a team…lean in and grow. Learn how to add value in a team.
9. Self-audit yourself. Learn to evaluate what happened, what you did and how you can grow? Good and/or bad?
10. Balance. Become mindful of your identity. “Who am I without my current title or affiliation with my current company?” NEVER put ALL your identify into ONE thing…
11. Committed. Are you committed or simply interested?
Consideration to foster a competitive spirit?
1. Goal setting is critical. Review and engage often. Again, if it’s not written down, it doesn’t count.
2. Healthy rivalry often…learn to compete in just about anything (learn to lose and win frequently).
3. Recognition often. Think how recognition boosts morale and motivates almost everyone.
4. Grow/foster teamwork. How can we work together better? Collaborate more?
5. Provide feedback often (good and bad). Give feedback early and often…
6. Model competitive behaviors. When things are hard…don’t panic but lean in. This will build resilience too. People are watching you…
7. We can compete but also support others. Embrace competition.
8. Induce challenges. Get out of comfort early and often. To do this you need to know the person or team! Will look different for everybody.
9. Foster self- awareness and self-auditing. Stay curious and ask questions…make teams and person think and use their own words.
10. Champion effort and progress. Simply put…recognize excellence! Tend to put a lot of time/energy towards negative stuff…invest that time through excellence instead.
11. What’s the motivation? Critical to know…personal growth, passionate about x, career growth to name a few.
What kills the competitive spirit?
1. Poor leadership.
2. Talking behind backs.
3. Lack of clarity.
4. Fear of failure.
5. Muddy expectations.
6. Lack of being coached/poor coaching.
7. Toxic environment.
8. Burnout.
9. Isolation.
10. Lack of passion.
11. Unhealthy rivalries.
12. No support.
13. Lack of clear goals.
What can you, your team(s) gain from fostering this attribute?
1. Winning culture
2. Flexibility
3. Outside the box problem solving
4. Nonstop improvement
5. LOTS of self-directed work
6. Collaboration
7. Goal crushing
8. High engagement
9. High performance and productivity
10. WINNING
Tap in!!
Thoughts: Believe we can seek, recruit, hire, identify, foster “competitive spirit” and believe this leader attribute can change organizations! There are organizations, programs, teams doing this today…same the other direction. Please read this and work this into your dialogue, practices, coaching sessions, meetings, development, etc. Find ways to identify and foster this elite leader attribute…you’ll be glad you did! I’d love to hear from you.
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