“This doesn’t feel like a team; everyone is doing their own thing!”

How many times have we felt this or heard similar comments? Competitive dynamics are inherent in any sports team but, far from being a threat, they can become a powerful tool for collective progress.

Friedrich Hayek, in his influential work The Road to Serfdom (1944), deeply analyzes the mechanisms of competition, emphasizing how its proper management can generate benefits for both individuals and organizations. This approach provides us with valuable lessons to understand how competitive tensions among team members can drive their overall development.

Competition: An Inevitable Reality

I have worked for almost 20 years in a National Team environment. Based on my experience, I can now say that denying the true nature of a National Team in sports like Canoe Slalom is a significant diagnostic error that can ultimately kill the patient.

These teams are, for the most part, conglomerates of working groups that are genuinely teams. The working groups I refer to have their own coach, a pair or trio of athletes, perhaps a physical trainer and their own psychologist. From the perspective of group psychology, these working groups constitute a primary group with a common goal and method.

In my opinion, this is the reality that must be managed, not by sweeping it under the rug but quite the opposite — by addressing it openly.

These tensions are not a sign of dysfunction; on the contrary, they reflect our natural desire to improve and stand out. Recognizing this reality and proactively addressing it allows us to create an environment where rivalry is channeled toward constructive goals.

Too often, as leaders of an individual sport team like Canoe Slalom, we confuse our vision of the goals with how we perceive the day-to-day activities should unfold. It is essential not to conflate goals with means, means with methodology, or methodology with ethical principles. Goals and ethical principles provide the framework, while means and methodology are flexible tools within that framework.

For this reason, I believe the following points are crucial:

1. Regulate the framework of competition

Leadership can establish, as mentioned earlier, the goals and principles that guide the team. Creating this framework clearly, fairly, and positively is essential.

2. Transform competition into a source of creativity

Well-managed tensions not only generate effort but also creativity. Inspired by rivalry, we can explore new strategies, refine our techniques, and seek innovative solutions. By channeling this energy toward common goals, we transform competition into a tool for continuous learning and growth.

3. Centralize goals, decentralize execution

Our team needs clear, centralized goals that serve as a guide for everyone. However, executing these goals should be decentralized, allowing each team working group to adapt its methods to its strengths and needs. This balance fosters both autonomy and group cohesion.

Avoid Exclusion and Foster Inclusion

While competition can be positive, it also carries the risk of excluding certain team members if not properly managed. To prevent this, we must take specific steps to ensure inclusion for all:

• Eliminate monopolies

Avoid allowing certain individuals to monopolize all resources or the spotlight. They may naturally attract support, scholarships, and dynamics due to their sporting merits, but from a team perspective, equitable distribution of opportunities will strengthen morale and prevent internal divisions.

• Facilitate access from lower levels

Athletes joining from lower categories or levels often face barriers that hinder their integration. By easing these transitions through additional support and a welcoming environment, we ensure that emerging talent has the opportunity to fully develop.

Conclusion

Effectively managing internal competition, inspired by Hayek’s principles, allows us to transform the natural tensions within a team into a source of progress and cohesion. Recognizing the reality of competition, regulating its framework, fostering creativity, and ensuring inclusion are key strategies to turn rivalry into a tool that enhances both individual and collective performance. In this context, competition is not only an unavoidable reality but also a fundamental pillar for the success of any sports team.