Competition Quote by Dr. Thomas Gordon
““Competition and rivalry between the members of a group are the antithesis of the cooperation and team play needed in an effective management group. This is why team building is an empty abstraction for a group whose leader controls with power.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Parent Effectiveness Training by Thomas Gordon, 1970
Team building fails when a leader relies on power rather than fostering genuine cooperation, making the concept empty for controlled groups.
In simple terms: Power‑based leadership defeats true teamwork.
Key Takeaway
Promote collaborative leadership over control.
Themes
leadership
teamwork
management
power
cooperation
Mood
determined
inspirational
analytical
Type
management
motivational
When to use this quote
- corporate teams
- sports squads
- non‑profit boards
- classroom groups
- project teams
Key Concepts
organizational behavior
psychology
management theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you shift from control to collaboration?
- What structures support genuine teamwork?
A Different Perspective
If power dynamics are entrenched, simply encouraging cooperation may not be enough without structural change.
