The Right Type of Competition

You've been told that competition is all about winning, about being the best. But here’s the truth—when done right, competition isn’t about proving you’re better than others. It’s about pushing yourself and your team to grow, sharpen skills, and become the best version of yourselves. That’s the lesson from something I experienced during SWAT training, a story that’ll make you rethink what competition really means…

Why Competition Matters

It was a slow year for our SWAT team, but training was still intense. To keep our skills sharp, we were at the range, firing off rounds and running tactical drills. One thing we did frequently was engage in friendly competitions. Why? Because it simulates stress. Real-world high-pressure situations don't allow for comfort zones, and neither should training. Competitions get your heart racing, your focus locked in, and most importantly, they inoculate you against stress.

The competition we set up that day was simple but effective. We were using our M4 rifles to shoot at tiny targets—just the 5.56 shell casings—from 20 to 25 yards away. It’s not about just hitting the target; it’s about doing it fast and accurately, like a high-speed bowling pin shootout; who can knock them all down the fastest!  That’s where the magic of competition kicks in—it forces you to adapt, think quicker, and perform under pressure.

The Day I Showed Off

I was normally good, but this time, I was having a great day at the range; one of those rare times when everything just clicks. I lined up, took aim, and started knocking down the casings like it was nothing! But here’s where it gets interesting.

Two of my very close and highly competitive friends—great shooters, highly driven guys—were struggling a bit. (I mean who wouldn’t, you are using the bullet to shoot down its own sized casing after all.)  Well, in what might’ve seemed like an arrogant move, I turned my rifle toward their targets and shot theirs down, too. It wasn’t meant to show off, but I could see how it might’ve looked that way. Naturally, they weren’t thrilled with me, and it caused some tension at first. I mean what type of competitor is happy with not getting to finish a challenge once they’ve started?

But here’s what happened next. Instead of staying frustrated, turning on their teammate, or giving up, my friends doubled down. They stayed late, practicing more, pushing themselves harder to improve and succeed at that very high level. They took that moment of frustration and turned it into motivation to get better until they were knocking them down with ease. And isn’t that what competition should do?

Failing Forward

Here’s the real takeaway: competition isn’t about showing off or belittling others. It’s about finding weaknesses or vulnerabilities, embracing them, and working through them to grow. My friends weren’t content to let their struggles define them. They realized they were not at the level they wanted to be performing.  They took that moment of “failure” in competition and used it as a springboard to become even better marksmen.

This idea of “failing forward” is crucial. Healthy competition reveals areas for improvement, but more importantly, it allows growth. As leaders, it’s our job to foster that environment—not to create winners and losers, but to help our teams recognize where they can improve and motivate them to do so.

The Power of Healthy Competition

Healthy competition has two key ingredients: it challenges individuals to grow, and it pushes teams to get better together. But there’s a fine line between healthy competition and toxic rivalry. When competition becomes too emotional and too tied to a person’s sense of worth, it can backfire. People might start believing they’re not good enough, and instead of rising to the challenge, they give up entirely.

The right type of competition is all about balance. It needs to be tough enough to push people out of their comfort zones but not so overwhelming that it discourages them. As a leader, it’s your job to strike that balance. Set up competitions that test your team, show them where they need to improve, and then guide them on how to get there. Think about two kids that are friends.  When biking side by side down the neighborhood street they come upon a straight away, look at each other and smile and say, “race you to the stop sign!”  They take off and inevitably one wins, and earns a perk up in their posture for being faster than their buddy.  And the other vows in their mind to ride more and beat them next time.  No rupture to the friendship, no hurt feelings, just two kids who got a little better at riding bikes at that very moment by pushing each other.  One will work hard to keep the edge, and the other to become the champ next time.  

Building a Culture of Improvement

On the SWAT team, every competition showed us where we needed to improve. Maybe one guy was great at shooting under stress but lacked endurance. Another might have struggled with speed but excelled in accuracy. The key was to recognize those areas of weakness and turn them into strengths. And the same goes for any team, whether you’re in an office, a sports team, or a business.

As a leader, you can create these moments of competition in your environment. Maybe it’s a challenge to see who can improve sales numbers the most in a month, or perhaps it’s a skill-building exercise where your team works on a new software tool. Whatever it is, the goal is to reveal strengths and weaknesses in a way that encourages growth, not discouragement.

And remember, once you’ve identified those weak points, your job isn’t done. Encourage your team to stay late, like my friends did, to work on their skills. Help them set achievable goals, and don’t just leave them to figure it out alone—offer guidance, provide feedback, and celebrate their wins along the way.  In the end, the team will look at what they have done and all work to best themselves and keep setting new records. 

Avoiding the Trap of Toxic Competition

Not all competition is healthy. If you attach too much emotion to the outcome, you risk people thinking their value is tied to their performance. And when that happens, failure becomes too painful. People stop trying new things because they’re afraid of losing. That’s not what competition should be about.

The right kind of competition fosters a growth mindset. It’s about improvement, not proving who’s the best. It’s about using failure as fuel to get better, not as a reason to quit or terminate. If you can help your team see that, you’ll build a culture where competition drives people forward rather than holding them back.  

Take the SWAT Approach to Leadership

So, leaders, here’s your challenge: set up healthy competition in your teams. Push people to improve, not just to win. Create environments where people feel comfortable failing and then give them the tools to turn those failures into growth. Whether it’s in your office, your business, or even on the shooting range, the right type of competition can drive people to become the best versions of themselves.

At the end of the day, it’s not about knocking down someone else’s targets. It’s about helping them figure out how to knock down their own.