The Entrepreneurial Savant

The word competition comes from the Latin words com petit which mean to learn from. And who knows you and your skills, hopes and methods better than your competitors? In athletic competition we learn as much or more from losing as we do from winning. I always preferred to play tennis with a better player than myself rather than somebody I could always beat. I’d learn things and push myself to the limits of my ability, trying to reach their level.
Competitors at work or in business are potential allies. Their skill set resembles your own. However, we each have our own set of strengths and weaknesses. Your competitor may have strength where you are weak and vice versa. Why not turn them into a resource; a resource that compliments your particular set of skills. Refer customers to them when you are backed up or when you have a need for their expertise. You might even arrange to sub work out to them that they are better equipped for (and hopefully they will do the same for.)
If this seems hopelessly idealistic, think of it this way: They may be in the same competitive situation, fearing you and unhappy with an adversarial situation. Try turning the tables. You might have a lot in common.

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