Does competition have the power to create innovative outside the box results while motivating individuals to produce their best work. Without a doubt. Competition is natural among humans. It has the ability to bring out the best in us and it also has the ability to bring out the worst in us.

Real estate is often known for being a competitive industry. Agents are busy building relations, finding clients, securing listings, making deals, closing deals, and the list goes on. And to be successful in the business you definitely do need qualities that competitors have. Characteristics such as high self-belief, not being scared to take on a challenge (or scared but doing it anyway), dedication to excellence, and commitment to self-improvement, just to name a few. It is when competition is deemed to be more valuable than collaboration, things start to get hairy.

If you’re looking for sustainability and long-term success in your real estate career, or any career, you need to see the importance of collaboration and the myriad of benefits that come from prioritizing it over competition. Having a work culture that prioritizes collaboration creates a unified team that feels empowered, confident, and fully supported. Studies show that employees who feel the most supported at work by their peers and managers have a higher level of interest in their work, show greater competence, and overall have higher performances long-term.  Finding a team that is going to lift you up and support you as you continue to build your brand and move forward in your career is going to further benefit you than a team where you feel you are constantly competing against one another.

What does collaboration offer? It provides insights and perspectives you may not have otherwise thought of. It fosters open communication and trust. Problems are able to get solved with greater urgency and efficiency. It has greater potential to spark creativity and innovation and create a more agile and adaptable working environment.

Long gone are the days of working in a silo where you’re isolated and confined to limited resources. Creating a culture of collaboration offers greater team and individual success.

Isaac Newton said it himself, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Great ideas do not come from us alone. We must rely on others and the knowledge of those who have gone successfully before us if we want to get to new places.

Competition is a moving target you’ll never reach. Collaboration is reaching the target and celebrating the win as a team. It’s up to you to decide which one holds greater value.