Competition & Court of Gold

If you’ve read any of my blogs, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I’m a basketball fan. I’ve already compared Self-Assurance to Shaq and Achiever to Kobe, so today, I’m going back into my bag to talk about Competition.

People with Competition as a talent don’t just want to play the game—they want to win. They’re wired to go for the gold, and they’ll do whatever it takes to create the conditions that allow them to succeed.

But why are some people so driven to win? Honestly, I wish I knew. It’s like asking why some people feel an urge to fix broken things, craft the perfect message, or dream up bold new ideas.

It just so happens that our culture actively rewards winning—with trophies, medals, endorsement deals, and very large guaranteed contracts. Meanwhile, we don’t exactly hand out gold medals for “Best at Winning Others Over” or “Most Inspirational Brainstorming Session.” Not because those talents don’t matter—but because they’re just harder to measure.

That said, Competition is one of the most visible examples of turning a talent into a strength. It’s literally the plot of almost every sports movie ever made.

• Daniel LaRusso (The Karate Kid)—scrawny underdog learns to crane-kick his way to glory.
• Rocky Balboa (Rocky)—goes from club fighter to world champion through sheer grit (and a lot of jogging).
• Roy Hobbs (The Natural)—steps onto the field and starts hitting baseballs into the stratosphere.
• Ricky Bobby (Talladega Nights)—because “if you ain’t first, you’re last.”

Every one of these characters had raw talent, but they needed coaching, discipline, and (most importantly) a drive to win in order to become champions.

Competition Needs a Scoreboard

Competition isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s an influencing talent. Meaning? You need others to compete against in order to thrive. It’s not about being good—it’s about being better.

Which brings me to Court of Gold, the six-part Netflix documentary about the 2024 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team. I would normally say spoiler alert, but —we all know how this one ends. Team USA won the gold.

But what made this documentary so compelling wasn’t the if—it was the how.

The Art of Competitive Cohesion

Enter Steve Kerr, a man who has won championships as both a player and a coach. He’s tasked with leading what is arguably the most stacked roster since the 1992 Dream Team: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, and more.

Sounds like an easy gig, right? Just roll out the ball and let them dominate?

Not quite.

Early in the documentary, we see Kerr sit down with the team and deliver some hard truths:
“We have 12 of the best players in the world. I can only realistically play 9.”

Translation? Egos are going to take a hit. Some of the greatest competitors of this generation—guys who are used to being the guy—are now being told that their minutes might be limited. The mission isn’t about individual stats. The mission is gold.

Winning at the highest level meant they had to recalibrate what Competition looked like—not as individuals, but as a team. Because basketball is a team sport. To me, it’s the ultimate team sport – especially on the Olympic stage where the world was watching. In Paris. Against France!

And let me just say this, watching Stephen Curry’s last three minutes in the gold medal game? It was as close to sports nirvana as I’ve ever witnessed. Even if you don’t care about basketball, it was the epitome of rising to the occasion. The greatest shooter of all time had to do something superhuman to beat a ridiculously talented opponent.

The behind-the-scenes interviews in Court of Gold show just how deeply wired these players are to compete. Yes, they wanted to win for their country. Yes, they wanted to win for each other. But most of all? They wanted to win because they are wired to win. They are competitive.

Be the Steve Kerr of Your Team

If you’re leading a team, you’re Steve Kerr. Whether you personally care about winning or not, there are people in your organization who are fueled by competition—and you need them. Find them. Use them.

For some people, competition isn’t critical when it comes to sports, games, or contests. The older I get, the more I find myself moving to their side. But in the workplace? Winning can mean growth, career advancement, and making a bigger impact on those you serve.

Want to raise the bar? Find the people who can’t stand to lose. Let them set the pace. Let them push the team forward. Because when channeled correctly, Competition isn’t just about personal victory—it’s about making the whole team better.

And sometimes, it’s the difference between silver and gold