Sundaymail Editor
Changing Perspectives
Rutendo Gwatidzo
WHAT do you see when you look at the person next to you?
Do you see that person as someone who can complement what you do or you see a competitor whom you want to keep on the fringe?
The challenge with a significant number of people is wanting to be on top all the time. Growing up, I admired mountains, wondering how many people could fit on top of it. One is tempted to believe that few individuals can fit at the hilltop. It only takes being there or hearing from someone who has been there to realise that the top can accommodate many people.
As children, my friends and I used to think that only a few aeroplanes can fly at the same time. The thought was triggered by my village experiences of seeing planes flying over us, one at a time. I assumed that this meant multiple planes could not fly at the same time. When I visited the capital, I was amazed to realise that a good number of planes can actually fly simultaneously with each following its own route.
Moral of the story
There is so much room at the top that you do not need to cripple or destroy others out of fear that they will finish opportunities for you. Focus on doing what you excel in.
Others may join the same industry, but keep following your lane and running your race. Life should not be about winning all the time.
Just focus on being successful in what you do and let winning come as a bonus. It is more fulfilling to live a successful life than wanting to live a winning life.
The disappointment that you experience when you fail to win can be deadly to yourself and others if not careful. Imagine a situation where you have probably given what you call your everything, only to realise that you are not the winner.
You then wonder what next to give because you would have given everything already.
This is when others tend to miss it and get to do unspeakable things. On the other hand, imagine a situation where you just give the best you can and be the winner.
The kind of joy you receive can be long-lasting and appreciated to the extent of pushing you to continue doing the best and living the victorious life. Competition is good and healthy when done correctly.
We live in a world where not having competition is not good for us.
Competition takes us from our comfort zones and we can thrive on pushing one another to do more in our different areas of service. However, unhealthy competition can be a killer to all contesting parties. I once asked seven businessmen who used to be very prominent about how they lost the game and four of them mentioned something similar — unhealthy competition. They were crippled by people they least expected.
I asked them why the people had done that to them and they said they could not take it well that others had risen together with them.
This past week, we lost a young man who was thriving in the music industry, South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes. May his soul, and that of his friend who also died during the shootout, rest in peace. Reports say the shooting must have been arranged by those close to him while others suspect it was merely jealousy that drove the assassin to shoot him.
Did you know?
The beauty of being joined by others at the top is that when storms come, you have companions to stand with you and you will not be swept away. Together we stand strong. There is a Shona proverb that says “Chara chimwe hachitswanyi inda”. This simply means you need others to be able to conquer certain battles. Life is more beautiful when you journey with others on the same platform.
Organisational status
The performance bonus was introduced by organisations to promote productivity, profitability, growth and expansion for the benefit of everyone. Yes, in the process, those who work better than others will be rewarded more.
However, we need to be cognisant of the fact that the underlying aim is to promote teamwork and collaboration because together we achieve more.
Sadly, a significant number of teams and individuals take the performance-related bonus the wrong way. They use unethical means to qualify for it and in most cases, they end up being hurt in the process.
Be warned, there is a saying that goes: “If you want to go fast, go alone”. To an extent, it is true. However, you need to know when to stop and when to team up with others because there is also another saying that goes: “If you want to go far, go together”. Think beyond now and see tomorrow in your planning. For many of us, we have been going solo in a long time and have exhausted our efforts.
It is now high time we embrace others, new ideas, innovation and creativity for us to reach the next level. Yes, we may lose our independence but it will not be long before we enjoy the long-lasting results of teamwork.
Do not be your own enemy of progress by wanting to be the only winner. Enjoy the abundant fruits of journeying together with others. In this month of love, be challenged, encouraged and inspired to improve your relationships for the better.
Be there to complement those around you. When you complement someone, that person’s success becomes yours, too, and you celebrate together.
Sadly, when you compete, the other person’s success may become your defeat, and in most cases, you suffer alone. Choose wisely, either to be known as a failing competitor or a victor through complementing others.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is the managing director at The HUB HR Consultancy, a culture and change management organisation. She is a multi-award-winning leader as a consultant, speaker and mentor. She is also an author of the books “Born to Fight” and “Breaking the Silence”. Contact detail — 0714575805/ [email protected] / Rutendo Gwatidzo official fb public page.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter