Competition or Competence?

Question

What do you think is more successful? Being highly competitive or highly competent?

Answer 1

At different historical times, it varies.
When I was young, in the fifties and sixties, competition didn't seem very necessary. The teachers in my high school did an experiment. One Class was encouraged to compete for grades, on the curve. This produced pretty good results but a lot of cheating. The grades of those who, like me, didn't cheat, suffered for it. Another Class was not encouraged to compete for grades, but to become enthusiastic about learning. The teachers informed us that this class reached much greater heights of learning.
This doesn't seem to work well anymore. Most (not all) students who don't have to compete, simply don't study. Enthusiasm for learning just doesn't have mass appeal anymore. Now, a competitive environment is essential, because that is what normally leads to competence.
I'm not too worried. I think we will be needing this competitive spirit in the coming conflict with jihadist terrorism. Later, a pure love of learning will return.

Answer 2

I'm competent, but haven't been able to find a job in almost 2 years. Check out some of my rejections here:

http://www.lettersofrejection.com

Answer 3

True sucess is both.

The only suggestion i can make is that the competition should always be based on tasks completed with competency.

If you are not competent chances are you are not competition anyway.

Quality is its own quantity