Formerly when great fortunes were only made in war, war was a business; but now, when great fortunes are only made by business, business is war.

Where the money is, the ruthlessness follows. The habits and language of conquest attach themselves to whatever activity currently produces fortunes, which is why ordinary commerce starts sounding like a campaign. That framing is not neutral. Once you are at war, a competitor becomes an enemy and treating people badly becomes strategy rather than choice.

Listen to the words used around your work this week: battles, targets, crushing the other side. Notice what those words permit that plainer ones would not. You can compete hard and still decline the vocabulary that turns rivals into enemies.