Last week, I read something in a book that sparked something in my eyes and made me say, “Oh shit, that’s why.” The book is called The Go-Giver Influencer: A Little Story About a Most Persuasive Idea, written by Bob Burg and John David Mann. I loved the metaphor they used for how we should see our opponents.

Sadaharu Oh, a famous Japanese baseball player who holds the record for the most career home runs (868), once said:

“I never saw the opposing pitcher as my adversary, but rather as my ‘partner’ in hitting home runs.”

Competition makes us stronger, and our opponents help us improve. Without great competition, you cannot be extraordinary. A great opponent pushes you to your best. It’s true—we don’t always win—but with the right mindset, we can both create value. Together.

And then it hit me.

Sometimes in my basketball games, I score 3-pointers over opponents. A lot of the time, I miss. But there is one situation where my percentage of success skyrockets.

I have a very close friend who, a lot of times, helps me train or warm up before a pick-up game. Sometimes we play against each other. And when that happens, my 3-pointers are pouring.

Now I know why.

I never see him as my opponent. Not during warm-ups. Not when we play against each other. I always see him as my partner. Someone who helps me get better.

A mindblowing uplift in mindset, with multiple benefits: it cuts off a lot of the stress around winning and shifts the focus toward positive outcomes like value creation and self-growth.

Now, let’s imagine that out of the blue (with blue meaning years and years of research, studies, and experiments), something new appears. A technological innovation, let’s randomly say.

Some say it will take over the world. Some say it will take our jobs. Others—a much smaller group—see it as a strong partner. A partner that can uplift our abilities. A partner that can help us be better and more efficient.

It’s your choice how you see this something: as competition, a threat, or a partner. Of course, hypothetically speaking. There is no such situation.

On Friday, I couldn’t wait for my basketball game. I joined the court with a clear mind. Everybody is my partner. I will score like crazy.

One and a half hours later, I had scored a total of one basket.

One lazy, utterly terrible basket.

Under the rim.

It might not be that easy after all.