Competition Happens at the Bottom, Collaboration Happens at the Top

The statement "Competition happens at the bottom, collaboration happens at the top" is a common saying in the business world, and it's generally true, but what does it mean?

Those operating at the lower levels of an organization or industry are generally more focused on their individual goals and competing with each other for customers and sales and sometimes notoriety. This often leads to a cut-throat culture where individuals will do almost anything to get ahead and only look out for themselves rather than help others and help their industry grow.

However, at the top levels of an organization or an industry, competition tends to give way to collaboration. Industry leaders understand the need to develop a cohesive strategy and align the organization or industry around common goals. Collaboration and cooperation are essential to achieving these objectives, which is why people at the top are more likely to collaborate than compete.

Here are a few reasons why competition happens at the bottom and collaboration happens at the top:

• People at the bottom have fewer resources and opportunities. When resources are scarce, people are more likely to compete with each other for what they need.
• People at the top have a broader perspective. Industry leaders see the big picture and understand the impact their decisions make. This broader perspective makes it more difficult to compete with others, makes collaboration more essential.
• People at the top understand the value of collaboration. Collaboration can help an industry achieve more than individuals can on their own. By working together and sharing ideas, expertise, and resources, they can develop more creative and innovative solutions to problems.

So ask yourself, do you want to compete at the bottom, or collaborate at the top? I think the answer is pretty clear.