In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee challenges the deeply ingrained societal conditioning of competition, arguing that a shift towards collaboration and mutual support can accelerate success rather than hinder it. Lee contrasts the scarcity mindset, which views others’ wins as personal losses, with an abundance mindset, which recognizes the potential for collective growth.
The post begins by reflecting on how many individuals are raised with a singular focus on being the best and winning, a mindset that can inadvertently foster insecurity and defensiveness. Social media, Lee points out, often exacerbates these feelings by constantly presenting curated highlights of others’ achievements, leading to unsolicited comparisons and a sense of falling behind.
“We were raised to compete. Be the best. Win at all costs. Beat the person next to you. So we grew up successful… But also a little insecure. A little defensive. Always afraid someone else might get ahead.”
The Pernicious Effects of Constant Competition
Shulin Lee elaborates on how this competitive upbringing, amplified by the curated realities of social media, can create an environment where individuals feel threatened by the success of others. This perpetual state of comparison, according to Lee, is counterproductive to genuine achievement and well-being.
“Every scroll is a reminder of what you haven’t achieved yet. Every post is a comparison you didn’t ask for. No wonder we feel threatened by other people’s wins,” Lee writes in the post.
Cultivating an Abundance Mindset for Collective Success
Drawing from over 15 years of building experience, Shulin Lee shares a key learning: the most successful people are often those who champion others. This involves actively celebrating the successes of peers, sharing opportunities, and uplifting individuals rather than wishing for their failure. Lee posits that this approach doesn’t slow down progress but rather accelerates it.
From Competition to Collaboration
The core of Lee’s message revolves around the transformative power of shifting one’s perspective from seeing others as rivals to recognizing them as potential collaborators, connectors, and future partners. This fundamental change in outlook, as articulated by Lee, is the essence of an abundance mindset.
“The most successful people I know? They clap the loudest for others. They share opportunities instead of hoarding them. They celebrate wins that aren’t theirs. They lift people up instead of quietly hoping they fail. And it doesn’t slow them down. It speeds them up.”
According to Shulin Lee, the scarcity mindset dictates that “If they win, I lose.” In contrast, the abundance mindset offers a more optimistic and productive outlook: “There’s room for all of us.” This philosophy underpins Lee’s call for “More collaboration. Less toxic competition.”
A Call for Mutual Support
Shulin Lee concludes the post with a powerful affirmation: “Your success doesn’t threaten mine. And mine doesn’t threaten yours.” This statement encapsulates the article’s central theme – that true, sustainable success is often built on a foundation of mutual support and shared progress, rather than zero-sum competition. Lee encourages readers to embrace this collaborative spirit, suggesting it is the key to unlocking greater collective achievement.
“So until it’s my turn? I’ll keep clapping for others.”
The post serves as a compelling reminder from Lee that fostering a supportive professional community can lead to greater opportunities and successes for everyone involved, moving away from a culture of constant, often draining, competition.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shulin Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 5, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →