Beyond the Best: Why Comparison Can Hold You Back

🚀 Is comparison helping you grow—or holding you back?

Every leader has looked at top companies or standout executives and thought, Maybe if we just do what they do, we’ll succeed too. Organizations chase after Google’s innovative culture, Amazon’s rapid deployment model, or Apple’s brand perfection. Leaders compare themselves to high-profile figures like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk, hoping to replicate their success.

But here’s the truth: comparison can be a trap.

When we constantly measure ourselves, our teams, or our companies against “the best,” we risk adopting strategies that aren’t actually right for us. The best approach for Google won’t necessarily be the best for a startup, a mid-sized business, or even another enterprise in a different industry.

Why Comparison Can Be Dangerous

🔹 Context Matters More Than Prestige Many leaders assume that what works for an industry giant will work for them. But those companies operate under completely different conditions—budgets, scale, talent pools, customer expectations, and market positioning. Copying their playbook without understanding the full picture can lead to failure.

🔹 The Myth of the “Best” Talent Businesses often prioritize hiring from elite companies, assuming success is transferable across any environment. But as Andy Siegmund put it in our latest episode:
“The person who can become a distinguished engineer at Google is not necessarily going to be the person who's going to thrive in your seven-person startup.”

Hiring should be about fit, not prestige. The best talent on paper isn’t always the best for your team, culture, or long-term goals.

🔹 Chasing “Best Practices” Can Kill Innovation The most successful companies don’t spend their time copying others—they solve their own problems. When leaders fixate on industry benchmarks instead of focusing on their own unique challenges, they limit their ability to innovate and grow.

So What Should Leaders Do Instead?

✅ Define Your Own Success
What are YOUR biggest challenges? What strategies align with YOUR goals? Instead of asking, “How do we match the best?” try asking, “What actually works for us?”

✅ Hire for Fit, Not Prestige
A well-functioning team is more important than a collection of all-stars. Success comes from alignment, chemistry, and shared purpose—not just impressive résumés.

✅ Focus on Meaningful Progress
The best leaders don’t chase trends—they solve real problems for their customers and teams. Instead of comparing your business to a trillion-dollar tech giant, focus on making the right improvements for your stage, industry, and mission.

Final Thought

As the saying goes, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” It’s also the thief of good leadership.

The best strategy isn’t about copying someone else’s—it’s about creating your own.

🎧 Want to dive deeper? Listen to Episode 6 of Leadership Explored: leadershipexploredpod.com

👇 Have you ever followed a trend or comparison that didn’t serve you? Let’s talk in the comments!