Competitiveness: Is it better to be a hawk or a diplomat?

By Brian Maynor

 

Do you thrive on competition or avoid it like the plague?

Diplomats are people who enjoy their job and tend to have a go with the flow mentality.  They thrive on stable, steady work but don’t advance quickly, if at all.  Diplomats tend to stay with the same company in relatively the same role for most of their careers.

Hawks, on the other hand, are fiercely driven and constantly taking challenges to reach the next level.  Moving up the corporate ladder is their primary goal, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.

Whether you like competition or not, it’s safe to say it’s impossible to avoid it in today’s workplace.  While these two roles summarize the basic philosophies associated with competition, is really an all or nothing situation?

Here is a closer look at competitiveness and how to handle it no matter which role you choose:

1.   Our competitive spirit.  We all have a natural tendency toward one role or the other, and that tendency runs deep into our psyche, think Type A personalities vs. Type B personalities.  In addition to our nature, our upbringing also plays a role in forming our view of competition.  Some parents push their children to be the best and achieve from an early age, promoting competition and risk taking as the path to get ahead.  Other parents stress safety and stability, prioritizing food on the table and a roof over their head over recognition or promotions as signs of success.

2.    Making competition healthy.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hawk or a diplomat if you have an unhealthy view of competition.  A little light-hearted competition can be fun and motivating, while teaching us to respectfully disagree, challenge others and deal with constructive criticism; all valuable skills for any professional.  Healthy competition also encourages us to take responsibility for our work and invest in doing it well.

3.    Finding our personal best.  If our tendency is to play it safe, it is hard to know what we are capable of achieving, while on the other hand if we’re constantly climbing the corporate ladder it may be hard to bring our ideas to fruition.  If we refocus our view of competition, it becomes clear that our only real competitors are ourselves and the goal of competition is to reach our personal best.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hawk or a diplomat; this realization shifts the perspective of competition and brings an understanding that it’s not about being ahead or behind anyone else, but rather about being our best self.

Competitiveness is a tricky trait because there are advantages to both philosophies.  Being a diplomat can help us navigate tough situations, but there are also times when we need to unleash our inner hawks.  The trick is understanding the difference and acting accordingly.

 

 

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I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty.  Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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