The Comparison Trap: Why Chasing “The Best” Can Hold You Back
🚀 Episode 6 of Leadership Explored drops Tuesday, June 3!
We’ve all been there.
We look at top leaders, high-performing companies, and industry giants like Google, Amazon, or Apple and think: How do we do what they do?
Leaders idolize successful executives. Organizations benchmark themselves against the biggest names in their field. Teams try to hire “the best of the best” from elite firms, believing that will guarantee success.
But here’s the problem—what works for them might not work for you.
In this week’s episode of Leadership Explored, we’re breaking down the comparison trap—why it happens, why it’s dangerous, and how leaders can shift their focus toward real growth instead.
Why Do Leaders and Companies Fall into the Comparison Trap?
Comparison is wired into us as humans. It helps us make sense of the world and set benchmarks for success. But in leadership, comparison often becomes an obsession.
🔹 Companies want to replicate the success of big names like Google, Amazon, or Apple.
🔹 Leaders try to model themselves after high-profile executives.
🔹 Businesses chase top talent from elite firms, assuming those hires will instantly elevate their teams.
The problem? Context matters.
What works for a trillion-dollar company won’t necessarily work for a startup, a mid-sized business, or even another enterprise in a different industry.
The Hidden Dangers of Comparison
📉 Misaligned Priorities: Leaders who blindly copy competitors often adopt strategies that don’t fit their actual needs.
⚠️ Stifled Innovation: Focusing too much on what others are doing can prevent leaders from developing unique approaches that work for their teams.
💸 Hiring for Prestige Over Fit: Hiring someone from a big-name company doesn’t guarantee success. Without the right team dynamics and culture, even “top talent” can struggle.
As Leadership Explored co-host Ed Schaefer puts it:
“Only one company can be the best in the world. If you're constantly comparing yourself to them, you’re already limiting yourself.”
So What Should Leaders Focus on Instead?
Instead of constantly measuring yourself against industry giants, shift your mindset:
✅ Solve Your Own Problems First – What are the actual challenges your business is facing? Start there.
✅ Hire for Fit, Not Prestige – Top talent isn’t about résumés. It’s about finding the right people who thrive in your culture.
✅ Build Teams, Not Just Rockstars – Great teams outperform individual stars. Freddie Mercury was an icon, but he wasn’t Freddie Mercury without Queen. 🎸
✅ Embrace Your Own Growth Path – Instead of asking "How do we be like Google?", ask "What do we actually need to be successful?"
New Episode Drops Tuesday, June 3!
In Episode 6 of Leadership Explored, we explore how leaders can break free from the comparison trap and focus on meaningful, sustainable growth.
🎙️ Listen at leadershipexploredpod.com
👉 Have you ever caught yourself comparing your leadership or business to someone else’s? How did it impact your decisions? Let’s discuss in the comments!
#LeadershipExplored #LeadershipGrowth #ModernLeadership #LeadWithPurpose