cooperate for higher outcomes

“Competition serves the ego. Cooperation supports the highest outcome.”

- Rick Rubin, The Creative Act

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been preparing for the town hall meeting for The AGC™, a community of financial advisors I helped co-found, with the rest of the leadership team, and I’ve been reflecting on how amazing the community experience has been over the last 4+ years. The community members have accomplished so much in that time, not necessarily because of the community, but I know the community had an impact on their accomplishments—and there were some, like publishing a book (More Than Money) that were a direct result of the community.

Whenever I’m talking to advisors interested in joining The AGC™, I always lead off with how the common thread amongst the advisors in the community is they all have an abundant mindset. If they didn’t, they would not be a part of a community of “competitors.” Instead of being worried about other members stealing their best practices, growing faster than them, or any other scarcity mindset-driven thoughts, the members of The AGC™ understand we are all better working together and sharing than being on our own little island trying to “beat” all of the other advisors.

A rising tide lifts all boats.

There is a time for competition—on the basketball court or soccer field, for example. But even then, in competition, there is a need for cooperation among teammates; a team of players working together will often beat a team with an ego-driven star (not always, but more times than not).

Not only is cooperation good for the highest outcome in a group, but it will also lead to the highest outcome for the individual within the group because instead of looking for competitive advantages to be the “best,” the individual is free to allow her strengths to naturally shine through bringing her best to the group. Without overthinking, negative feelings towards others, and other low-energy emotions associated with competition, a higher level of consciousness, flow, and connection to what Rick Rubin calls “Source” in his book can be accessed.

Writing this, it seems so obvious to let egos fall to the side and work together for the highest outcomes, especially as I reflect on The AGC™, but when I look at life, I see how ego has a grip on so many of us.

Where are areas in your life where competition is getting in the way of your ability to bring the highest outcome in the world?

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See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC