On your own team, is there someone who brings out your competitive nature? Too often in the professional world, the notion of "competition" is a negative image of a rival company or product; but competition can be a positive force, as well. And that competition may well come from within our own family!
We all owe it to ourselves to find those people whose presence inspires us to do more with our talents and opportunities. By developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with people who continually push us to grow, we learn not only how to develop ourselves, but how to celebrate the accomplishments of others. Much like how the Mannings both challenge and cheer one another, so, too, do other Great individuals.
Who drives you to try harder, study more, prepare better, or reach higher? Whose friendship motivates you to work just a little bit more? If you can point to someone on your team -- or your family -- who fills that role, reflect on the recent way his or her presence has helped you raise your own game a notch or two and consider how to use that in the future. If you don't have such a person in your life, find someone who you can respect and engage with as you work together to improve your performance and stretch your professional muscles.
It is no coincidence that success often runs in families or among tight groups of friends. Greatness surrounds itself with Greatness. It is your responsibility to find - and keep - those people who challenge you to always do better, even as you return the favor to them. Amiable rivalry teaches us to work harder, applaud others, and always keep reaching for our own Greatness.
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