--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want to be incrementally better…" description: "\"If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If you want to be exponentially better: Be cooperative\" — Nate" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d1/nate-946_competition_if-you-want-to-be-incrementally-better-b_2770228.jpg" --- # If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If… ![“If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If you want to be exponentially better: Be cooperative” quote by Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d1/nate-946_competition_if-you-want-to-be-incrementally-better-b_2770228.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d1/nate-946_competition_if-you-want-to-be-incrementally-better-b_2770228.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d1/nate-946_competition_if-you-want-to-be-incrementally-better-b_2770228.jpg) > “If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If you want to be exponentially better: Be cooperative” [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Improving incrementally relies on competition, while exponential growth needs cooperation and shared effort. **In simple terms:** Competition drives small gains; cooperation drives big gains. Key Takeaway Choose collaboration for breakthrough progress. Themes competition cooperation growth strategy mindset Mood optimistic strategic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - business development - research teams - open source projects - social movements Key Concepts Game theory network effects collective intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How can you foster trust in a competitive environment? - What incentives encourage collaborative breakthroughs? A Different Perspective Cooperation can be hindered by misaligned incentives or trust issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Competitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive/) [Cooperation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooperation/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [I don't know anything that builds the will to win better than competitive sports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-don-t-know-anything-that-builds-the-will-to-win-better-than/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Medical science in particular will get exponentially better, especially once computers will be powerful enough to digitally simulate entire human brains, meaning medical experiments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-stone/medical-science-in-particular-will-get-exponentially-better/) [Benjamin Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-stone/) > [Working with Lucha and Mexico and all the independent wrestling I've done has made me an exponentially better performer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-morrison/working-with-lucha-and-mexico-and-all-the-independent-wrestling-i-ve/) [John Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-morrison/) > [I assumed that 'Gone Girl' would do incrementally better than 'Dark Places,' and that would be great. So the fact that it did more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/i-assumed-that-gone-girl-would-do-incrementally-better-than-dark/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [You're not just trying to do something marginally, incrementally better. You're doing something that is a fundamental paradigm shift, that will have exponential impact.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-case/you-re-not-just-trying-to-do-something-marginally-incrementally/) [Steve Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-case/) > [I can sit here and hit all the balls and chip and putt all day long, but if you're not playing competitive golf... there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daly/i-can-sit-here-and-hit-all-the-balls-and-chip-and-putt-all-day-long/) [John Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daly/) > [You have competition throughout your whole life, and it only makes you better. That competitive edge gives you extra motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-welbeck/you-have-competition-throughout-your-whole-life-and-it-only-makes-you/) [Danny Welbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-welbeck/) > [I just love this sport and it's so competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-coleman/i-just-love-this-sport-and-it-s-so-competitive/) [Christian Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-coleman/) > [In any competitive environment, whether you're in sales or marketing or whatever it is, you have to know your competition, understand who they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-moses/in-any-competitive-environment-whether-you-re-in-sales-or-marketing/) [Edwin Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-moses/) > [Don't compare your career to anyone else's. It's tough when you're in a business that's competitive. I was having a difficult time with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-brooks/don-t-compare-your-career-to-anyone-else-s-it-s-tough-when-you-re-in/) [Danielle Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-brooks/) > [I was a serious competitive figure skater and still ice-skate as much as I can. Anyway, I once brought a date to the rink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-serratos/i-was-a-serious-competitive-figure-skater-and-still-ice-skate-as-much/) [Christian Serratos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-serratos/) > [My dad is a competitive guy. That's a part of me. It's just a certain drive, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/my-dad-is-a-competitive-guy-that-s-a-part-of-me-it-s-just-a-certain/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [If life were like a competitive race, some people would be given a flying start and others would line up with weights tied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/if-life-were-like-a-competitive-race-some-people-would-be-given-a/) [Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/) ## More by Nate > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [But just remember, the next time you see a person, do not judge whats on the outside, we could be having a bad day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/but-just-remember-the-next-time-you-see-a-person-do-not-judge-whats/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Is the glass half empty or half full? Life and relationships work better when the glass is half full. Below are some simple yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/is-the-glass-half-empty-or-half-full-life-and-relationships-work/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [If you can forgive yourself as well as others and learn from your mistakes, problems and heartaches will be stepping stones on your path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/if-you-can-forgive-yourself-as-well-as-others-and-learn-from-your/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [The thing that counts most in the pursuit of happiness is choosing the right companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/the-thing-that-counts-most-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness-is-choosing/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [. Be grateful Create a sense of gratitude for what you have, for what is working, for what is wonderful and sweet in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/be-grateful-create-a-sense-of-gratitude-for-what-you-have-for-what-is/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [A girl can be your best friend, worst enemy, a real sweetheart or a total witch. It all depends on how you treat her](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/a-girl-can-be-your-best-friend-worst-enemy-a-real-sweetheart-or-a-2/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [No matter what, once in your life, someone will hurt you. That someone will take all that you are, and rip it into pieces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/no-matter-what-once-in-your-life-someone-will-hurt-you-that-someone/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Look for positive people and situations. Call a friend who sees the good in others. Spend time with a colleague who affirms the bright…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/look-for-positive-people-and-situations-call-a-friend-who-sees-the/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Dont rush things. anything worth having is worth waiting for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/dont-rush-things-anything-worth-having-is-worth-waiting-for/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [People know your name,not your story . Theyve heard what youve done, but not what youve been through. So take their opinions of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/people-know-your-name-not-your-story-theyve-heard-what-youve-done-but/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [I wish what made us grow apart didnt happen, I miss what we had all the laughs and good times, I wish I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/i-wish-what-made-us-grow-apart-didnt-happen-i-miss-what-we-had-all/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Seeing people change isnt what hurts.What hurts is remembering how they used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/seeing-people-change-isnt-what-hurts-what-hurts-is-remembering-how/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Do not tell me you are too old. Age is all imagination. Ignore years and they will ignore you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/do-not-tell-me-you-are-too-old-age-is-all-imagination-ignore-years/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Top 10 Things to do at the Mall 10. At the bottom of an escalator, scream MY SHOELACES! AAAGH! 9. At the stylist, ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/top-10-things-to-do-at-the-mall-10-at-the-bottom-of-an-escalator/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) [Explore all 323 Nate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) ## More Competition quotes > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [People think that the Club World Cup is an easy competition, but it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keylor-navas/people-think-that-the-club-world-cup-is-an-easy-competition-but-it-s/) [Keylor Navas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keylor-navas/) > [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. But I can tell you that my biggest competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/if-you-ask-another-competitor-they-may-tell-you-they-felt-very/) [Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/) > [“At times, competition can be a good thing. But a person's value isn't something that can be ranked, is it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hotaru-odagiri/at-times-competition-can-be-a-good-thing-but-a-person-s-value-isn-t/) [Hotaru Odagiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hotaru-odagiri/) > [Our competition has always been anything that is wasting your time when you're bored at work. In a broad sense. We want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/our-competition-has-always-been-anything-that-is-wasting-your-time/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) > [I've always considered making it legal for Americans to import their prescription drugs a free-trade issue. Imports create competition and keep domestic industry more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-grassley/i-ve-always-considered-making-it-legal-for-americans-to-import-their/) [Chuck Grassley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-grassley/) > [Honestly, we’ll compete with everybody. I love competition. As long as people invent their own stuff, I love competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/honestly-we-ll-compete-with-everybody-i-love-competition-as-long-as/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [The "health, education, and welfare" section of government is another boondoggle. First we manufacture indigent and superfluous people by legal monopolies in land, money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/the-health-education-and-welfare-section-of-government-is-another/) [Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/) > [I try to keep up with everything - all wrestling across the board. I want to know what the competition is doing, what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hardy/i-try-to-keep-up-with-everything-all-wrestling-across-the-board-i/) [Matt Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hardy/) > [Sometimes in England, people look down at the Europa League, but being from the continent, I've always realised what an important competition it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mignolet/sometimes-in-england-people-look-down-at-the-europa-league-but-being/) [Simon Mignolet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mignolet/) > [“There is a scene in one of the Rocky movies where after the match Apollo Creed and Rocky are waiting for the scoring of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-passaro/there-is-a-scene-in-one-of-the-rocky-movies-where-after-the-match/) [John A. Passaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-passaro/) > [I've always written. When I was in school, the only teacher who ever liked me was my creative writing teacher. I used to enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-townes-earle/i-ve-always-written-when-i-was-in-school-the-only-teacher-who-ever/) [Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-townes-earle/) > [Competition between men is a fuel that's useful to us. We have to be careful that it doesn't tell the same story over too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-irwin/competition-between-men-is-a-fuel-that-s-useful-to-us-we-have-to-be/) [Bill Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-irwin/) [Browse all 3,894 Competition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. 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