Who have you sharpened today?
A Proverb says that iron sharpens iron as a friend sharpens a friend. So I ask again, who have you sharpened today?
Be mindful that you don’t have to actively try to make someone better. Simply being successful can sharpen your rival and vice versa. Friendly competition makes everyone involved better. Take a look at Apple and Samsung. Apple changed the smartphone game with the introduction of the iPhone. Samsung made several attempts to introduce an “iPhone Killer” until they finally got it right within the Galaxy Series. They both made gobs of money and toggled back and forth for the number one spot.
The feud was very public. They even sued each other a number of times. But through it all did you know that Apple and Samsung were working together as well? Most if not all of the iPhone iterations have had Samsung parts in them. They cooperated in business even as they competed in business. Think about that for a second.
If you sell burgers and the guy across the street sells burgers, yeah he’s your competition but that doesn’t mean you two can’t go half on a cow, right? Cows are expensive! In the end, some people will never cross the street to come to you anyway just like some smartphone users will never switch over to the other company’s phone.
So what now? I implore you to find a way to work with your competition on something. Give and take is the name of the game. Give first with no strings attached and it shall be given back to you. A giving hand has room to receive. This creates a cycle of success that only make everyone involved better.
–Handsome