Why capitalism and competitive business works...

First, I want to apologize for the header. This is not an absolute x+y=z perfect equation showing why capitalism works. However, I have an interesting point to bring up that I have been mulling over in my mind the last few days.

As a project management major, I'm always thinking through things from a team-based perspective. Business is all about finding the solution to a customer's problem. I use project teams to find the solution (or a specific part of a very intricate one). One day this week, as I was preparing a talk about why I am so passionate about what I do as a project manager, it hit me. This is what I love about project management. While many voices around the world are encouraging people to come together and put aside their differences, in project teams we do exactly the opposite.

We come together and exploit our differences to achieve a common goal.

Project teams that are successful have notably different team members that each contribute their specific expertise towards completing the project. I love it when my team features a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, knowledge, skills, and abilities. This means that, as a project manager, I have more to work with. The last thing I want is an echo chamber. If everyone agrees with me then what will challenge me to advance to the next level? What will challenge the product idea to not just meet our goal but exceed it. Our differences are what opens the door for innovation.

Capitalism is essential because it is the only system that recognizes and accepts differences. Socialism treats everybody like they are equal. Of course we all have equal human rights, however, that does not mean we all have equal skills. We do not have the same ideas, the same strengths, or the same weaknesses.

Embrace the differences of the people around you. Don't surround yourself with people who will always echo your thoughts. Find people with whom you can work to combine your differences and use them to make the world better.