Teamwork: Why Collaboration Beats Competition
Hi, y'all!
When you work in big organisations, there's often a large portion of friendly competition. You're taught that competition drives success. Be the best. Get ahead. Win the race.
But what if the real secret to extraordinary performance isn't outshining everyone else, but helping each other shine?
Research suggests collaboration has a distinct advantage. A meta-analysis from 1981 found that co-operation was generally more effective than individualistic or competitive styles to boost achievement and productivity.
In other words, teamwork isn't just a warm, fuzzy ideal. It's a performance strategy. While healthy competition can spark motivation, relentless rivalry inevitably turns colleagues into opponents rather than allies.
Enter Improv: The Power of 'Yes, And'
Improvisational theatre offers a wonderfully simple lesson in collaboration: 'Yes, And'.
“Yes, And means don’t be afraid to contribute” Tina Fey, Bossypants
It's not agreeing blindly. It's listening generously, adding value and creating something no individual could have imagined alone. In improv, the best scenes aren't 'won'. They're co-created by performers making each other look good.
Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson argues that innovation depends on working across boundaries of expertise, status and experience.
That's the beauty of collaboration. Great teamwork isn't about eliminating individual brilliance. It's about amplifying it.
Competition asks, "How can I win?"
Collaboration asks, "What could we achieve together?"
So next time you're in a meeting, brainstorming a project or tackling a challenge, borrow a little magic from improv.
Listen. Build. Share the spotlight.
Because the best teams don't compete for the starring role.
They create a standing ovation together.
Good Advice, Bad Advice, Worst Advice
Aim: To collaborate on a theme in a bonding way.
Outcome: Support as you exploring real-life options.
How it works: Player 1 reveals a problem (real or imagined), eg. “I’m finding it hard to meet my quarterly goals because of my new role.” P2 gives good advice: “Maybe check in with your line manager and work out a temporary compromise?” P3 gives bad advice: “I suggest you cover your entire locker with Post-Its that form a frowny face and then leave for the day.” P4 gives worst advice: “Just kick open the door of the next board meeting and sit on the table, crying.” Spend further time exploring good advice or discuss ways you’d each seriously tackle the problem.
Reflections: Is this a collaborative or competitive activity? Which is more helpful?
