Comparison for a leader is dangerous. It can prevent us from celebrating our accomplishments. You may have just done a great thing, and when you compare it to great things others have done, it can be a “downer.”

I like the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

A couple of things can happen in the comparison lane:

  • You feel inferior to others
  • You feel superior to others

In each case, there is not a good outcome.

As a leader, let me remind you to be the best version of yourself. Your people are expecting you to be authentic and at the top of your game. When you feel inferior, it will show up. When you feel superior, a lack of humility can appear. A lack of humility can impede on your desire to keep learning and growing. Your people need to see that as well.

Here is the reality I had to learn the hard way –someone will always be better at
what you do. I know this to be true, and great leaders are never motivated by other
people’s abilities but by their personal mission and purpose.

Please don’t misunderstand. I greatly advocate learning from others or capitalizing on best practices. That is different from comparison. Put the best practices and ideas in place and be the best version of yourself. You see, in the end, nobody can beat you at being the best leader you can be