A self-revealing window is that of Johari Window. This window has four blocks to reveal our identities and characters and how we behave.
Surprisingly, sometimes other people know about us what we do not know about ourselves. There are also areas that are unknown for others and us. This post suggests that competition provides the spotlight to uncover these unknowns and reveal our real identities and characters.
The Unknown Zone of Johari window is what either others or we know about us. It is a dark area.
Competition is a great revealer of our unknowns. Competition is as all-natural processes go through construction-deconstruction processes. To which one we bifurcate in competition is the revealer that makes the unknown be known.
I read two recent posts on competition. The first post is about deconstructive competition. The second post highlights constructive competition.
A story of destructive competition
Do you know the story about marketing fish By Amina Alami? The story is about two canneries that were competing for sales; one of them was producing white salmon, the other pink salmon. Apparently, the products of the white salmon marketed their product with the slogan, “guaranteed not to turn pink in the can”. Their pink competitors countered with; guaranteed “No bleach used in the processing!”
The two competitors actually polluted the salmon market. Each one of them highlighted not the benefit of product but rather induced fear. I find this story an example of destructive thinking. They shrank the market rather than expanding it.
It is a deconstructive competition. It reveals that the two companies were pulling attention to their products instead of understanding their clients’ needs. Customers are the source of cash. To make them fearful is a repelling approach. Sometimes we do not realize what we should NOT do as these two canning manufacturers did.
Customers buy delight and not fear and pain.
Their deconstructive competition made them act in violation of the wisdom not to bite the dog if it bites you. Revenge is biting the dog.
The constructive competition story
in her post “WHAT’S YOUR COMPETITIVE NATURE?” Leticia Latino wrote:
How refreshing was it to see during the Olympics, high-jumpers Gianmarco Tamberi from Italy and Mutaz Barshim from Qatar deciding to share the Gold Medal after they drew first place after competing? Someone driven by Ego would not have shared the Gold, but as Barshim told the press: “This is a dream come true. It is the true spirit, the sportsman spirit.” That is an attitude that comes from abundance, not from scarcity. If they could both have Gold, why wouldn’t they?
This post is a real revealer of constructive competition. It helps us grow, learn, expand our circle, see the goodness in others, and how to step up our game.
Tell me how you behave in competition and I can tell who you are and what your unknowns are.
Loved the post , as two interwoven principles to make a point . Well taken concentrate on own strength . I think this is what has been advocated by Indian Philosopher , Vivekananda. He stated that make efforts to increase your line, and not to reduce others line .
I can connect it to innovation funneling , where we need to check if the innovation passes ethical , law of land & environment.
the examples picked up by Prof have nailed the point.
There are comments that cheer up my mind, heart and soul. This comment Vinod Dahake is one of them.
You really reflected so well on why I connected The Johari Window with the bifurcation of competition. Equally impressive is your quote “Vivekananda. He stated that make efforts to increase your line, and not to reduce others line”.
I can connect it to innovation funneling , where we need to check if the innovation passes ethical , law of land & environment.- this part of your quote is quite relevant to my next post my firnd, Thank you for the reminder of the innovation funneling.