Competition: Fuel for Growth or a Dangerous Trap?

Competition: A Catalyst or a Pitfall?

Rivalry and competition are natural mechanisms governing many aspects of our daily lives. Some sectors, such as the economy or heavy industry, are almost unimaginable without them. At its core, competition is a struggle between individuals or groups striving for the same goal—usually victory, a sense of achievement, recognition, a better result, or a specific reward.

For ambitious individuals focused on personal growth or the evolution of their team, competition appears as a path to success. During this process, participants compare themselves to one another, each striving to outperform their rivals in a specific field. The benchmarks for this struggle are typically performance reviews, rankings, statistics, or specific awards granted by evaluators.

The Two Faces of Ambition

However, we must realize that rivalry can be either positive or negative, depending on the priorities, rules, and values that accompany it. We can choose the path of fair play and respect for our opponents, or we can succumb to envy, deception, and coercion. The consequences vary just as widely: for some, it is a constant motivation for self-improvement; for others, a deepening source of stress and frustration. So, what determines the quality and form of the competition we engage in?

Partners in Sport, Enemies at Work

Let’s look at two different scenarios to better understand the two faces of rivalry.

Two runners, Cate and Aghata, are both 35. They train at the same sports club, regularly preparing for competitions. They discuss their diets, share athletic experiences, and occasionally run together. Even though both want to perform their best and outrun the other, they train as a team. They motivate each other, provide support during tough moments, and cheer one another on. After a race, regardless of the results, they celebrate together, appreciating both their own performance and that of their friend.

The Corporate Rat Race: A Familiar Reality

Now, consider a second scenario: a corporate office where a promotion to a management position is up for grabs. Marcin and Marek are both vying for the role. Marcin begins to sabotage his rival, spreading false information and undermining Marek’s competence in front of the boss. He steals his colleague’s ideas and claims the resulting success as his own. Marek begins to feel increasingly insecure; his self-confidence withers, and a sense of injustice and psychological discomfort grows within him.

Where Does Healthy Competition End?

The first example illustrates a rivalry where both parties want to grow rather than “defeat” the other at any cost. Competing while preparing for a race increases engagement and motivates both women to improve their fitness. Both derive joy and satisfaction from this process. They share a common goal, pursued through mutual self-improvement. Despite the contest, they build discipline and perseverance together.

We can therefore conclude that rivalry is beneficial if it motivates rather than weakens. In a broader context, if competition leads to higher quality services or products—if it drives innovation, creativity, and the development of new skills—it is highly desirable. This is exactly how technological progress and scientific advancement usually occur.

When Competition Drives Development

In the economy, competition generates investment in new solutions. The awareness of competitors forces people and entire institutions to seek new ideas and test previously unknown techniques. Consequently, competing companies raise the quality of their services, and consumers gain more choice. This approach prevents stagnation or regression. From this perspective, American author Veronica Roth notes in her book Four, “Competition allows us to work on ourselves, it brings out the best in us, the strongest.” This is the bright side of rivalry.

When Ambition Turns into Pressure

The second scenario shows when healthy vs toxic competition tips toward the latter. When we cross healthy boundaries, competition based on a lack of ethics begins to corrode the psyche, ruin relationships, and destroy self-esteem. The root cause is a “win at all costs” attitude—eliminating competitors by any means necessary. We often call this “stepping over bodies” to reach a goal, or as Niccolò Machiavelli famously put it: “the end justifies the means.”

When the well-being of others no longer matters and the paramount goal is solely one’s own interest, reached by any path possible, we are dealing with destructive and immoral rivalry. We cross the line when the result is a breakdown in cooperation, the destruction of team spirit, and a loss of trust. If rivalry breeds conflict, multiplies negative emotions, and leads to burnout or unbearable pressure—then that competition serves no one.

Why Rivalry Damages the Young

Rivalry should never exclude cooperation, sensitivity, or empathy. While adults may have a better chance of navigating these situations, the destructive competition now seen among children and teenagers can have catastrophic effects. Without the tools to handle unfair behavior and without adult support, teenagers are vulnerable to serious psychological difficulties and emotional crises. Bad experiences in competitive environments can cast a shadow over their entire adult lives, where competition remains a constant element. In this context, the words of François Lelord, a contemporary French psychiatrist, come to mind. In his book Hector and the Search for Happiness, he warns: “A true poison for happiness is competition.”

How to Defend Against Toxic Rivalry

Many people reach a point where they realize the negative impact of the competition they are in, but they don’t know how to change it. What should you focus on to protect yourself and get back on track? First and foremost, focus on your own development rather than comparing yourself to others. In practice, this is incredibly difficult, especially within a large team. However, mastering this skill is lifesaving. “I have my goals, my tactics, and my methods, and I stick to them. I don’t look at the path others have chosen; I just do my job.” This approach helps you break free from unhealthy comparisons.

Boundaries Save the Mind

If symptoms of psychological overload, overstimulation, and exhaustion appear, you must clearly define your boundaries. In these situations, assertiveness acts as a shield for a suffering mind. It is also worth seeking support from specialists or kind people outside your professional sphere who can offer a fresh perspective and see what you cannot.

Maintaining a work-life balance is also crucial. When working in a competitive atmosphere, it is easy to get sucked into a vicious cycle with no beginning or end. A person then loses track of where their work time ends and their personal life begins.

The Most Important Rivalry

In closing, it is worth recalling the words of Harold Kushner from his book Who Needs Perfection?. He offers invaluable advice for the modern world:

“You don’t have to be better than everyone else, you just have to be better than you were before. That is the real competition. And when you understand that, you will feel true happiness.”

These words remind us that the most vital rivalry in life is the one we have with ourselves, striving every day to be better than we were the day before. This may be the only form of healthy vs toxic competition that truly adds value to a human life.

Read the original article in Polish: Rywalizacja: kiedy napędza rozwój, a kiedy niszczy ludzi