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As I usually say, be competent, not competitive. No one likes the uber competitive guy who always tries to stand above the rest at all cost.

Which, by the way, screams insecurity.

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Whenever I hear the term insecurity used in a derogatory manner the caller often feels that it mitigates understanding more deeply in this area.

There are personality types that thrive on competition, they get renewed passion and commitment by having others also better themselves, this is not an ego or alpha complex, instead of the mental models they work in.

Or we can just call them insecure and be done with it.

Depends on how you define competitiveness. The one I’m referring to, the truly bad kind, is not just about trying to stand out, it also involves trying to put others down, as that helps their goal. Those also tend to be overly sensitive whilst also being insensitive to others. That, to me, screams insecurity (hence the over the top sensitivity). Also they couldn’t care less about others becoming better, actually they’d prefer if they don’t.

And yeah, nobody likes those guys.

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