Exiting the Comparison Spiral

It’s time we had a talk about the C word - Comparison.

Most of us learned how to compare objects or pictures as children. It’s an important skill that gives us context and helps us understand the world in new ways.

In work life, comparison is often contextualized as understanding our position with respect to our competition. It can provide us with important information about the likely success of our programs, products and services, but it should be just one of many factors taken into consideration.

In the nonprofit sector, too often, comparison becomes both unhelpful and unhealthy.

• We make assumptions about what must be true at another organization based on what we see them doing.

• We feel pressured to stand up a new program that “competes” with a similar program at an organization in the same space as us.

• We lose our way or forget our own strengths because we’re so focused on what others are doing.

So what can we do to get out of the comparison spiral?

We can replace it with a different C word - one that serves us much better.

Curiosity.

When you think about another organization you tend to keep your eye on…

❌ Comparison says → “They just launched a new program – we should be launching one, too.”
✅ Curiosity asks → “They just launched a new program – what are its goals? Are those goals we share? Are there opportunities to partner with them?”

❌Comparison says → “They just announced a big corporate partnership – we should shift our fundraisers’ attention to corporate giving.”
✅ Curiosity asks → “They just announced a big corporate partnership – how is that enabling them to advance their mission? How might we incorporate more corporate partnerships while maintaining our strength in individual giving?

❌Comparison says → “We should shake up our operating model so that it looks like theirs.”
✅ Curiosity asks → “How can we use our unique strengths to build a strong, healthy organization that meets its goals?”

❌ Comparison tells you what you "should" do.
✅ Curiosity gives us the courage to ask "why?"

And "why?" is a much more effective place to begin when it comes to leadership, strategy, and organizational health.

What works for you to get out of the comparison spiral and back into a state of curiosity? Join the conversation over on LinkedIn.