The natural state of competition is for group of individuals with necessary requirements to compete against one another in order to win a prize, which could be anything. A competition following the due process is not negative, it is just a means for individuals to show case their required skill and be rewarded for their outstanding contribution and effort. I consider it to be a rewarding event that appreciates efforts, hard work and human intelligence.
The fact is, competition has been around for centuries and it comes in different categories and rules that suits the host. Centuries ago, mankind has witnessed some competition that can see inhumane, in the Roman Empire, when men called gladiators or slaves fought in the The Colosseum. The nature of this competition might seem unhealthy or toxic since it demands humans using brutal force to complete against one another but still, even a competition such as this is created to serve a purpose.
From the looks of it, it is the purpose of a competition that defines it or should I say the objectives and goals set out to be achieved by the host or founder of the competition that determines how the competition will play out. Every set of guidelines and rules are like extension of the objectives of the competition. In the sense that, the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of a competition, are created to ensure every individual plays fair and also gives each participant equal chances of winning whatever price is set for a competition. Whatevers tools that is allowed by the rules, is also meant to serve the objectives of the competition.
Is there a way for a competition to be healthy? There is, as long everyone including the host or the team behind the competition plays by the rules guiding the conduct of the competition. What ensures a competition go as planned is if there is orderliness in conducting it, everyone acting as they should. In a competition everyone is meant to compete, that is right but the feeling of winning a competition shouldn't overwhelm an individual to an extent that it buries the purpose of the competition, which might be for entertainment or whatsoever.
Have seen people outgrew or outperform their old self when they are faced with challenges that forces them to grow. Competition is meant to boost people's morale, knowing fully well that, after the competition, if they are found worthy, there will be a reward for their hard work. If the rules of a competition are effective enough, it should be capable of maintaining the healthy nature of a competition.
How do you know when a competition becomes unhealthy? The red flags are always visible for most sensible people to see. This occurs when the competition start straying from its chosen path or purpose. Like I said earlier, every competition is created to achieve a specific purpose, so the moment a competition doesn't seem to be doing just that, you can be rest assured that the competition is becoming unhealthy. One of the first effect would be unfairness or lack of transparency within the competition, this can take any forms. Either through the host or the team behind the competition or among the participants.
Some time ago, when I was still in higher institution, during one of our exams, we noticed that a girl usually engage in exam malpractice. She always comes in with all kinds of textbooks or phones during the exam. The most annoying part is, she does it throughout the exam, it got to a time we started wondering why was she not caught by the examiners. I mean she was a little bit careful with it but it was visible to every student in the hall.
That was when other students also decided to copy her but the funny part is, this students were caught by the examiners and while they were being rough handled due to lack of compliance. They felt upset and decided to mention the girls name but the examiners does not seem concerned at all. They just took out the students they caught like garbage and nothing was done to the girl. It was later on that we find out that she had connection within the examiners, which means the examiners are purposely feigning ignorance to her misconduct in the exam hall.
An academic examination might not fully define a competition but to students, it is a competition because there are those who are seeking to be the best among their colleagues and examination is their preferred ground to get this done. So in every competition, if the rules are broken by one person multiple times and no one is saying anything about it, it will definitely result to others following the same path and if the same misconduct is still tolerated, then the competition will start losing it's value, thereby becoming unhealthy.
How do you maintain the balance? It is to uphold the rules as strict as possible, even among the coordinators of the competition. Humans greatest toxic trait in a competition is greed and no one should ever underestimate the effect of greed on humans. Competition makes some people desperate for various reasons, especially if the reward is gigantic. Anyone with greed will definitely feel the need to cut corners to win the competition but as long as the rules of the competition remains firm and fair, it will not be difficult to rule out anyone who decides to engage in misconduct.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled Healthy competition in hive learners community.
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