Courtesy of Philip White
Philip White.
- Philip White is the president and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty, a luxury real estate brokerage that surpassed $112 billion in global sales in 2018.
- With nearly 40 years of experience in the real estate industry, White knows a sure way to excel in any field: by embracing competition, and using it as motivation.
- He advises focusing on developing unique skills that will set you apart from the crowd, and always coming over prepared.
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Long before it was discussed in boardroom PowerPoints, competition was what allowed the human species to thrive. For much of our existence, survival belonged to the fittest. Competition is what forces us to evolve and improve, and according to research by Jillene Grover Seiver, having a rival is the secret to peak performance.
In a study of professional archers, Seiver found that athletes scored significantly higher when their main competitors were present versus when the competitors were not. She found that it's not necessarily the competition itself that makes us better, it's being pitted against people who are on or above our level.
As someone who grew up playing golf and tennis competitively, I can attest to Seiver's research. If I'm playing a match, the competition allows me to block out distractions and focus on the task at hand. I find it easier to get in the zone when there's something riding on the outcome. I apply this same principle to my work: I do more homework than my competition, so I'm better prepared when I get in front of a prospective client or partner.
In business, people often view competition as something to be avoided - or at least a barrier to entry. But throughout my career, I've found that competition motivates me in a way that nothing else can. It keeps me sharp. It keeps me focused. And it makes for an exciting ride.
Here's how you can survive (and thrive) in an ultra competitive field.