Article Review: Can You Collaborate With Someone You Compete Against? Knowledge at INSEAD

I read this article with wonder and curiosity as I reflect on what is happening in the world around us. The USA National Basketball team is filled with superstars from different NBA franchises but will be united in bringing the gold medal back to America post the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Does this mean Jayson Tatum & Anthony Edwards took it easy on each other at the NBA Finals, in anticipation of being team mates at the Summer Olympics? Akanji missed the penalty that would have ensured Switzerland had a chance to knock out England in the 2024 EURO’s quarter-finals, yet he’d have to go back to the English Premier League (“EPL”) and defend alongside Walker & Stones, his team mates at Manchester City. Yet all 3 of these defenders played a critical role in ensuring Manchester City retained their EPL Title.

The article ends with: “At the very least, being aware of the potential issue, either in the boardroom or changing room, is an important first step.” Maybe this is the reason Joe Mazzulla & Pep Guardiola became close, and Joe learnt a great deal from Pep, which enabled the Celtics to break the Wolves’ defence. Jayson lifted the trophy and had a lovely parade with his coach and team mates, while Antman regretted missed chances, but looked forward to redemption at the Summer Olympics.

Is anticipating working with or against someone a factor that will impact your performance & collaboration with them? In South Africa, we have Gayton McKenzie of the Patriotic Alliance, who was a staunch opponent to the DA & Hellen Zille’s management style in the election campaigns. Now, he will be colleagues with the very same DA opponents as fellow ministers in the Government of National Unity (“GNU”) led by the ANC’s Cyril Ramaphosa. Is there such a thing as ‘Combatant Collaboration’? This remains to be seen as a first for South Africa in our new democratic dispensation. Some of us remain hopeful. Comical food for thought: Would you see T’Challa & Erik Killmonger rule Wakanda together?

We have seen leaders leave one organisation to join a rival, and after a certain ‘cooling off’ period, they go back to their organization to poach the most talented individuals they’ve worked with in building teams around them. While this can cause panic and insecurity, some ways companies can prevent this include competitive pay, better communication of organisations’ goals & vision, investing in individuals’ and teams’ growth and promoting work-life balance (accentuated in a post COVID world where hybrid work is a permanent feature). But what if your competitors have a better offering of these?

My 欧洲工商管理学院 (INSEAD) Professor, Henning Piezunka and his co-authors show interesting statistics and evidence that anticipated rivalry in the field of competition (like the Manchester City players referenced above) could lead to less collaboration presently. The same applies when we have different political, religious and other views where people tend to have anchored views. Have a read, and share your thoughts & reflections. If I know I’m going to compete against you outside of our team or organisation in a different role, can I collaborate with you? Food for thought.

Article link: https://knowledge.insead.edu/leadership-organisations/can-you-collaborate-someone-you-compete-against