At 04:41 PM 4/1/98 -0600, Roxanne wrote:
Roxanne and Richard i would like to add some ideas here
Richard Goodale wrote about his views of the symbiotic relationship of
>co-operation and competition. I think I am beginning to understand your
>perspective, Richard, but let me ask a couple of questions.
>
>Do you believe that people need to have an opponent in order to perform to
>their greatest potential?
People do not necessarily have to have an opponent but they must have a
purpose . A purpose that is agreed up understood and accepted. An opponent
provides that. It is a rallying point which everyone can understand. That
is in part why leaders changing companies often choose a boogy man the
competitor to rally the troops. It gives purpose.
>If so, do you feel this is true of everyone, or perhaps, most people?
I believe so .
>Do you believe that people will learn more effectively by being in
>competition with their co-workers or professional colleagues?
This may not be a good choice of competition. It may split the
organization and cause divergent purposes and reduce communication.
Deming told us not to compete but I believe he was telling us to avoid the
destructive competition that divides the organization and inhibits the
flow of information, and problem solving. Destructive competition can
result from ranking systems and even performance reviews, promotions, wage
incentive, bonus systems, reward systems etc.
>Let's go back to my example of medical research. Do you believe that the
>physicians at University A will find the cure to cancer faster by keeping
>their progress secret in an attempt to beat their rivals at University B
>than they would by openly sharing their theories and learnings with the
>other best minds in their field?
Pure research has few milestones to offer the necessary sense of
achievement. If more feel goods can be delivered then yes. It can help.
Gene
Eugene Taurman
interLinx ilx@execpc.com http://www.execpc.com/~ilx
What you are is determined by the thoughts that dominate your mind.
Paraphrase of Proverbs 23 Ch7
--Eugene Taurman <ilx@execpc.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>