Introduction
Recently I have been listening to Podcasts on Business Wars, hosted by David Brown and produced by Wondery, on Audible. The Podcasts are mainly about two companies in the same industry and fighting for the same customers were able to manoeuvre each other and succeed. They tell stories of how the wars drove the companies and their leaders to innovate through the storms and become better.
I have listened to business wars between Netflix vs Blockbuster, Nike vs Adidas, Marvel vs DC, IBM vs UNIVAC, and Hearst vs Pulitzer. Each of these companies are still existing and leading in their industry in one way or the other. The benefits from the wars are more than the losses. And the world became a better place because of the innovations that came as a result of the fierce competition. Great lessons learnt and I would recommend anyone to tune in on any podcast.
Personal Story
I grew up in the middle of family wars between my father and his siblings. The battles became so intense that at one point some were not talking to each other. Family land was lost and some were chased away for some time. The family was mainly divided into two groups. It is only recently that they are trying to get united. Though to me it is too late since more than half of them are already dead.
The family wars did not spare our generation. Up to today some of my father’s siblings do not attend the weddings of some of their nieces and nephews. Stories of witchcraft did not spare the family. This story of mine resonates in many African families. Many of us can relate to it. I hope that our generation will not be the bridge to more family wars in the future. But we shall be the stumbling block to the unfruitful battles in our lineage.
Lesson to Learn
Compared to the business wars, the family wars never led to any innovation or success. When I look back to those years of fierce fighting, and compare them to the business wars mainly among American companies, my family would be the richest in Uganda. But what I see now is poverty and ruins of many generations. Even what my grandfather left was lost. What causes this difference? Recently I learnt that there is a difference between a student whose main target is never to get an ‘F’ and the one who aims at getting an ‘A’.
My father’s siblings never fought to get better but to bring down each other. I hope, my fellow Geotechnical Engineer, that this is not you. Use the professional and/or business wars to innovate and get better. Fighting and backbiting your workmates will not take you any where.
