The American way says that if you are going to get ahead in this world you’ve got to climb over the beaten and broken bodies of your peers. The essence of this idea is that organizational peers are in fact competitors for the next promotional opportunity that comes along. With help from thinkers like John Maxwell, we are gradually coming to consider the idea that getting ahead in an organization is more about being committed to the success of your peers than beating them down and removing them from the pool of competitors. It is about helping our peers to be successful. Sounds strange doesn’t it. Seems like it takes the logic that we have been given all along about the role of competition in our success and turns it upside down.

Organizational leaders have come to realize that leadership is about getting things done, about making a difference, about achieving results. Today’s companies are complex entities and no single person can be responsible for the entire operation. It takes a team of people to get the job done. The team must work well together, must help each other, must be challenged and enjoy the idea of mutually striving for success. This is where notions like collaboration and cooperation take on more significance than competition and power. Organizational peers need to operate from a perspective of mutual respect and caring. They need to acknowledge each other’s successes and help each other recover from mistakes and failures.

So, let’s assume that you have been totally supportive to your colleagues and peers; you have helped them be successful. How does this lead to you being the next in line for the big promotion? Here are several characteristics you will have which will be noticed by your superiors.

1. You’re a team player. As someone who relates well to others and can accomplish a task.
2. You’re someone who puts the success of the group ahead of personal gain.
3. You’re able to avoid the negative behaviors which damage relationships with colleagues.
4. You’re able to navigate the tricky waters of friendship and professionalism with peers.
5. You know how important it is to learn from others, and at the same time you’re willing to contribute your knowledge.

That’s a pretty good resume if you ask me!

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