Chapter 15: Leading to Win: The Role of Inter-Group and Intra-Group Competition in Leadership Education

As an instructional strategy, competitions demonstrate promise, given theoretical foundations and empirical evidence that suggest that placing learners in competition with each other positively impacts students’ learning, engagement, and motivation. Whether inter-group (where teams compete against other teams) or intra-group (where members of an existing team compete against other members), competitions typically involve significant investment from instructors, students, and institutions in terms of planning, time, and resources to execute. The novelty and complexity of the competition experience, combined with enhanced motivation to outcompete others, can promote leadership learning and development. Additionally, while inter-group competition may foster collaboration within the team, the evidence is less clear for intra-group competition. As such, educators are encouraged to explore competition as a pedagogy, ensuring that supports (e.g., coaches) are in place to limit its challenges and establish a context that aims to meet the numerous motivational needs of competitors.