How to Improve Your Differentiated Competitiveness in the Workplace
Zhang Weiwei, who specialized in computer science, transitioned to the field of design after graduating. Following years of diligent effort, she believed she had performed admirably in her design work. To her dismay, upon joining an Internet company, she found herself pitted against an opponent of formidable graphic design proficiency and professional background—Dong Jia. Gazing upon Dong Jia’s exquisitely crafted designs, Zhang Weiwei was unequivocally convinced of her own inferior design prowess. This realization left her feeling somewhat disconcerted.
Once, during a dinner with her cousin, Zhang Weiwei confided her work-related concerns. Her cousin, boasting extensive business experience and a remarkably adaptable mindset, spontaneously remarked, “Your objective should be to enhance your distinctive competitive edge, rather than engaging in blind competition.” Perplexed, Zhang Weiwei sought clarification from her cousin, who expounded, “Competing in professional aptitude differs from competitive endeavors in business. Similarly, when my competitors produce exceptional products, I counter by offering alternative products, engaging in a different form of competition. By achieving the objective of possessing what others lack and what others possess, triumph is assured, rendering one invincible.”
Zhang Weiwei pondered thoughtfully, musing, “My work skills are tantamount to my products. How might I differentiate them from Dong Jia’s?” Suddenly, an idea struck her: since Dong Jia excelled in design ability, she could secure victory by challenging her in an area of superior expertise.
After a period of observation, Zhang Weiwei discerned Dong Jia’s relatively weak front-end coding skills—an indispensable component of any project. Insufficient proficiency in this domain invariably impedes project progress. Sensing a promising breakthrough, Zhang Weiwei resolved to focus her efforts on mastering front-end coding.
Zhang Weiwei embarked on extensive research, amassing copious amounts of information. In addition, she disassembled completed projects’ code, endeavoring to rewrite it. To intensify the challenge, she commenced designing intricate structures, subsequently comparing them to reference designs as practice exercises. When confronted with arduous problems, she sought guidance from her colleagues. After more than two months of dedicated practice, Zhang Weiwei witnessed a substantial enhancement in her front-end coding skills, enabling her to produce pages swiftly and skillfully.
On one occasion, an urgent project landed at the company, with Dong Jia assuming the role of project lead. Although she rapidly completed the rendering design, she encountered difficulties with front-end coding. The complexity of the rendering necessitated three days for the completion of a single page. Colleagues eagerly awaited Dong Jia’s output before proceeding with their tasks, leaving the project manager anxious as the project deadline loomed just two weeks away.
Seizing the initiative, Zhang Weiwei sought out the project manager and confidently declared, “Manager, entrust this task to me. I promise to complete it within a week!” Upon receiving the project manager’s approval, Zhang Weiwei arrived early at the office daily, meticulously reviewing all the renderings and formulating a comprehensive writing plan. After toiling for four days, she completed the task ahead of schedule. As Zhang Weiwei packaged the files and handed them over to her colleague in front of the project manager, a sense of relief finally washed over the project manager.
Buoyed by this accomplishment, Zhang Weiwei contemplated, “If we can outshine in other design categories, it will heighten our competitiveness.” Given that the world was predominantly influenced by mobile devices, although the company presently declined projects in that realm, it did not preclude future acceptance. Thus, Zhang Weiwei resolved to invest her efforts in mastering mobile terminal design. She meticulously collected numerous exemplary mobile interface designs, commencing her journey by sketching icons and gradually acquiring proficiency. In due course, she mastered the design principles specific to mobile terminals, enabling her to craft exceptional interfaces. Eventually, when the company secured an APP project, Zhang Weiwei volunteered as the lead designer. During a departmental meeting, the leader extolled Zhang Weiwei, praising her rapid progress since joining the company and commending her as an exemplary role model. At the year’s end, the company recognized outstanding employees, with Dong Jia receiving accolades for her exceptional graphic design skills, while Zhang Weiwei was similarly lauded for her prowess in front-end coding and APP design.
In the realm of the workplace, competence is an inescapable requisite. To emerge triumphant, wisdom must be harnessed: each individual possesses their own strengths and weaknesses. By cultivating distinct competitive advantages and leveraging one’s strengths to offset the weaknesses of others, the path to victory becomes apparent, bereft of any reasonable justification for failure.
