The Myth of Competition: Why Winning Alone is Stupid | Rachael Johnson
We’ve been told competition makes businesses stronger. But what if that story is outdated?
Presented by Brian Tucker, Director of Human Resources at Elior North America
We’ve been told competition makes businesses stronger. But what if that story is outdated? What if collaboration among perceived competitors makes more sense... and benefits everyone?
In improv, if you chase the spotlight on your own, ignore your scene partner, or try too hard... the scene collapses. The same is true among small small businesses: scarcity thinking weakens trust. Ego fractures ecosystems.
In this bold and, uh, slightly unconventional Disrupt talk, I'm using the principles of improv — “yes, and,” shared responsibility, and having your partner’s back — to challenge how we think about competition and its impact on community.
With humor, story, and a live musical finale (!!!), I invite founders to reclaim a scrappy but stronger code of leadership: build the scene together, reinforce the ecosystem, and recognize that thriving local economies aren’t built by "solo acts." They're built together!
About Rachael Johnson
Rachael Johnson is a presenter, strategist, and owner of RJ Creative. A former music teacher turned business owner, she now helps founders and small businesses clarify their message, find their unique voice, and show up in the online space with confidence.
Rachael is known for blending strategy with storytelling, challenging the way you "should" show up as the face of your business, and occasionally breaking into song when she feels a point really needs to land.
Whether she's crafting copy for a website or stepping onto a stage, her work centers on one thing: helping people stand out without losing who they are.
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