Simon Squibb on Internal Competition and Mission-Driven Business

In a recent LinkedIn post, Simon Squibb offers a compelling perspective on competition, shifting the focus from external rivals to internal self-improvement and the power of shared missions.

Squibb begins by referencing Yomif Kejelcha’s second-place finish at the London Marathon, despite breaking the two-hour barrier. He highlights Kejelcha’s post-race reflection:

“He hadn’t believed he could break two hours. And that his coach believed in him before he believed in himself.”

This anecdote serves as a powerful illustration, as Squibb explains, of how belief can profoundly impact an individual’s perceived limitations and ultimate performance. “One person’s belief can change what another person thinks is possible. It can rewire how they see themselves entirely, and it can pull a result out of them that they didn’t even know was in there,” Squibb writes.

Redefining Competition in Business

The founder then draws a parallel to the business world, challenging the conventional notion of competition. Squibb states that he genuinely sees no one as his competition. Instead, he frames his business endeavors, particularly those related to HelpBnk, through the lens of a broader mission.

“I have a mission. I want to help people and fix the education system, and I don’t care who does it,” Squibb asserts. This mission-centric approach extends to how he views other organizations and founders, even those building similar services.

“I don’t care if they’re better than me, and I lose it all. Because they’re not my competition. They’re my allies.”

According to Squibb, the focus should be on collective progress towards a shared goal, rather than on outmaneuvering rivals. He elaborates on this by stating:

“We’re trying to do the same thing. Help people who’ve been failed by the system. Get more humans chasing what they actually want. Make giving normal again.”

Squibb emphasizes that the success of others in achieving these goals ultimately benefits the people they aim to serve. “If they win, more people are helped. If I win, more people are helped. Either way, the people we exist for end up better off.”

The Ultimate Rival: Yesterday’s Self

Squibb concludes by identifying the only true competition that matters: the internal one. He advocates for a continuous cycle of self-improvement, where the primary goal is to surpass one’s own previous performance.

“The only competition that matters is internal. You only need to beat the you from yesterday,” Squibb writes, encapsulating his philosophy on personal and professional growth. This perspective encourages a focus on consistent development and learning, rather than on the achievements or perceived threats posed by others.