Mindset Shift Series: Shifting Our Mindset to Achieve More Together
A recurring discussion during our many Afropreneurs Summits around the country relate to the need for mindset shift within African-Australian communities. In African-Australian communities, we often see individuals doing incredible things—starting an organisation to help others in the community, opening businesses, leading projects, and pursuing their passions in various fields. But one major roadblock many face is the tendency to see others as competitors rather than collaborators. This mindset of competition rather than cooperation holds us back, both individually and collectively. A shift in our mindset can help us achieve much more, together.
Success should not only be defined by what one person achieves alone. True success also lies in how we support others in reaching their goals. If someone reaches out to you for help, why not see it as an opportunity to invest in that person’s growth? By offering support, guidance, and encouragement, you plant a seed in their life—one that can blossom into future success, not just for them but for others they will help along the way. When we help each other more, we create a stronger, more prosperous community. The truth is, when we work together, the outcomes are greater for everyone.
Too often, though, this doesn’t happen. Many of us hesitate to collaborate, harbouring jealousy, suspicion, and distrust. Instead of reaching out to help when we see an opportunity—like when someone shares a need on social media, or someone contacts us to invite us to an invent—we hold back. We criticise rather than uplift. We view others’ success as a threat, rather than something we can learn from or contribute to. Where is this mindset coming from? And how can it be changed? These are not easy questions to find answers for.
In my personal experience, this competitor mindset stems from four main factors: a lack of self-confidence, past trauma, ignorance, and a poverty mentality. These elements, while not exhaustive, provide significant insight into why many in our community remain stuck in competition mode rather than embracing collaboration and abundance.A lack of self-confidence often leads individuals to feel threatened by the success of others. When people doubt their own abilities, they tend to view others’ achievements as a reflection of their own inadequacies, creating a cycle of jealousy and insecurity. Rather than celebrating someone else’s progress, they may feel diminished by it.
Past trauma also plays a critical role. Many in our community have experienced hardships, whether from displacement, economic struggles, or cultural barriers. These experiences often leave emotional scars that manifest as distrust or fear. When people have been hurt or disappointed before, it becomes harder to open up to collaboration or to believe that others have good intentions.
Ignorance can further fuel this mindset, as many are unaware of the benefits of working together. A lack of understanding about how collaboration can lead to shared success means that people may remain isolated, believing they must do everything alone to protect their progress. The more we educate ourselves on the power of networking and community support, the more we can dismantle these competitive tendencies.
Finally, a poverty mentality—the belief that resources and opportunities are scarce—keeps us in a defensive, survivalist mindset. When people believe there is only room for one person at the top, they are less likely to extend a helping hand. This scarcity mindset limits us, making us feel as if success is a zero-sum game, when in reality, success can be shared and multiplied through collaboration.
While there are certainly other causes behind the competitor mindset in our communities, these four factors shed significant light on why we often fail to embrace the abundance that comes with working together. By addressing these issues, we can begin to shift towards a mindset of cooperation, where everyone benefits and the community as a whole thrives.
But imagine if we shifted this mindset. What if we, as people of faith, lived out the values we speak of—helping one another and building each other up? What if, instead of waiting for someone to ask for help, we proactively offered support when we saw a need? This simple change in mindset could transform our communities, leading to more opportunities, greater success, and a deeper sense of unity.
In my next video, I will dive deeper into the root causes of this competitive mindset—lack of self-confidence, past trauma, poverty mentality, and ignorance—and how we can tackle these issues to unlock our full potential as a community. By shifting our mindset from competition to collaboration, we can create an environment where we all thrive. Together, we can achieve more.
C.S. Sharady
The Afropreneurs Network is creating a thriving ecosystem that connects, promotes, and supports African-Australians on their entrepreneurial journey—whether in business or social enterprise. We also empower members to become “intrapreneurs” within their workplaces. Join this dynamic community and register for membership today!. Click this link: https://afropreneurssummit.com.au/membership/
