episode #48. alfie kohn on competition

the case against competition

Is competition good or bad? Healthy or un-healthy? Harmful or un-harmful?

Have you ever wondered?

I have. 

In fact, more recently, I’ve started to believe that there's no such thing as “healthy competition” at all…

But I’ve always wondered whether I was actually right about it.

And if it depends on the circumstances -- what are they?

That's why I sought out the help of a guy who knows more than just a thing or two about the subject of human motivation + competition, and I'm hoping he can help us clarify, once and for all, whether there’s really such a thing as “healthy competition”.

On today's episode of The Meaningful Show Podcast, I'm joined by Alfie Kohn, who has written a string of best-selling books that debunk commonly believed myths about education and human behavior including titles like: Punished by Rewards: the trouble with gold stars, incentive plans, a’s, praise and other bribes, as well as No Contest: The Case Against Competition.

Today, Kohn gives us the (science-backed) case against competition.

So grab a drink, tune-in and take notes.. this is a good one.

Is competition good or bad? Healthy or un-healthy? Harmful or un-harmful? Have you ever wondered? I have. In fact, more recently, I’ve started to believe that there's no such thing as “healthy competition” at all… But I’ve always wondered whether I was actually right about it. And if it depends on the circumstances -- what are they? That's why I sought out the help of a guy who knows more than just a thing or two about the subject of human motivation + competition, and I'm hoping he can help us clarify, once and for all, whether there’s really such a thing as “healthy competition”. On today's episode of The Meaningful Show Podcast, I'm joined by Alfie Kohn, who has written a string of best-selling books that debunk commonly believed myths about education and human behavior including titles like: Punished by Rewards: the trouble with gold stars, incentive plans, a’s, praise and other bribes, as well as No Contest: The Case Against Competition. Today, Kohn gives us the (science-backed) case against competition. So grab a drink, tune-in and take notes.. this is a good one.

Here’s what you’ll learn about in this episode of The Meaningful Show:

• Is competition healthy or harmful? 
• What happens when kids compete in school?
• What should you do about competition in the workplace or business world?

We talk about all of the above and much, much more in today’s episode.

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show notes

TOPIC(S):

• How to deal with competition in your life + business
• Is there really such a thing as "healthy competition"?
• What happens when we compete with one another at work / in business?

BOOKS + MEDIA MENTIONED:

Here's an old-school video of Alfie on Oprah, discussing the inadequacies of using the oh-so-popular "carrots-and-sticks" system of human management.

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