Recently while attending an event where there were a variety of top notch professional speakers, one specific speaker struck a specific feeling in me and others. This speaker was essentially ranting about the urgency to take action immediately with his program so you will crush the competition. He might have even said something like, “crush them, step on their throats, stomp on their throats and don’t let up.” Virtually everyone in the audience was standing on their feet and cheering! Somehow my throat kept the nausea from producing a projectile vomit which would have painted the backs of the folks for three or four rows in front of me.
Was this really happening? It is 2013 right? What was missing here? Maybe this is not the right conference. Or maybe the speaker went to the wrong venue? No, there was his name right there on the program guide. He was finishing up and people were rushing to the back of the room to fill out the paperwork and purchase his program.
My view of my competition in the field of Business Consulting and Executive Coaching is if someone is good, if they have values, if they are trained and certified similar to me, if they are trustworthy and we know each other, if there is a client who is not a good fit for me, they get a referral from me. If there are articles or books which come across my desk which they might not know about, they are informed about them by me. It does not help anyone for a coach to have problems in their business, or for me to run my business with the intent to “crush” them.
What are we really saying about ourselves and our business if our business model is to first crush the competition?
In our communities, or in the online communities we belong to, it should be our intent and purpose to be gracious and to add value. It is better for the community of coaches to be more successful and bright coaches working and helping others. The coaches who do not operate in this manner create ill will for all of the rest of the coaching community.
This is not so easy to overcome. It is better to know your competition, embrace your competition, and assist your competition.
Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified personal and executive coach who resides in Stamford, CT.
I think there are bottom feeders in any industry – and in my book this person you heard speaking is just that, a bottom feeder. Enough said.
Witnessing this there is much to be learned – on what not to do.
Like attracts Like, Mitch. People who want to crush other people are not our people. That’s why we’ve found each other. And most of them will realize after signing up with that speaker, that crushing isn’t their style either and they will look elsewhere.
Jessica – agree with you! There is something to be said for people who become attracted to each other.
Sadly there is no need for competition – instead if we all joined in co-opetition and looked for ways to raise our own bar the water level of all the industry rises too.
Yes Heidi there is more than enough population and business for everyone. Why not cooperate more?
Definitely an aggressive approach and one that I would not be comfortable with. I think we tend to attract what we want to work with and find that all of those who choose to work with me want (and need) someone who has a kinder, gentler approach.
Mira in general we are in agreement. There are some days, in a certain mindset, especially at a live event where our common sense gets left up in the room.
Wow, I too would have been horrified to hear such an approach – I’m amazed so many people were drawn to this!
People get led down a path. They find pieces of themselves in a talk.
They get whipped up into a frenzy, then there is the offer which speaks directly to them.
I agree, Mitch. There’s room for everyone. We may out-perform our competition, but I NEVER, EVER wish to crush anyone or any business EVER, and I coach my clients (and my son) to aim for positive goals for yourself rather than negative ones for the competition. My feeling is that you really do get what you focus on, and if you are focusing on crushing, you yourself may very well end up being the one who is crushed. Love, Katherine.
Katherine C. H. E
Author, Be True Rich
Right Katherine, the world is too big a place for us to concern ourselves with others we feel are competing with us.
Well said, Mitch. I totally agree with you. I believe in making the world a better place, not adding to the negativity. Why focus on crushing the competition when you could be focusing on being your best self and lift others up as you go?
Yes, when the tide rises, all boats rise, not just the yachts.