When I interview people for an article I’m writing, I receive full cooperation and referrals to other sources. Often, those sources are competitors, but people set that aside because they identify as part of the same profession. They transcend their differences to share an affinity greater than any individual opposition. Professional associations operate on the same principle; people gather under the umbrella of their commonality, focusing on that bond rather than the fact that they compete for the same customers.
It’s a good framework for all of our relationships — focusing on what brings us together rather than what puts us at odds. We can be rivals rooting for different teams, or claim the identity of being a basketball fan. We can have loyalty to our town/state/country, or see ourselves as citizens of the planet, all wanting the best quality of life. We can focus on our narrow role, or take ownership of serving the entire organization’s customers.
How you react depends largely upon how you define your identity. The world is a better place when we see ourselves as part of a larger group.
