Here's the principle

First, put ego aside. Pursue the basics. Get them scrupulously right. Then, and only then, add unique qualities, and be able to boast about your unique qualities.

Here's how it works: examples.

Internet browsers

Let the browser teams put their danged egos aside for awhile - Opera, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and the slew of others. Let them agree that the basics be addressed. Let web standards be excruciatingly, universally observed in the same way by all browsers in all conditions. Let differences in web page rendering not be a criterion of differentiating browsers.

Then, and only then, let the browser teams pursue browser uniqueness. Let each dream up GUIs to provide a branded appeal. Let Opera be fast and have widgets galore, with unique small-screen viewing. Let Safari be sleek and Mac-advantaged. Let Firefox be rife with add-ons. Let Internet Explorer be...whatever.

Let them brag.

Political candidates

Let the candidates first put their egos aside. Let Clinton and Obama and McCain address issues and lay out specific ideas for what they could and would do as President. (A President can often not dispose, but only propose!) Let them lay out such ideas, for comparison, without reference to what opponents may have or have not said.

Then, and only then, let the candidates boast of their own uniqueness. Let them brag.

Nations of the world

Let the governments put their egos aside. Let them first ensure the role of government meets the needs of the well-being of their own people. People need to be well-fed, comfortable, healthy, enabled, and have hope. Governments have a role in ensuring these, or in getting out of their way.

Then, and only then, let the nations boast of their own uniqueness and attract tourists. Let them brag.

Me

Let me make just one person happy. It starts at home. I dreamed, of someone asking, "if you could have just one thing, what would it be?" And it occurred to me, how very thrilling it would be to have the absolute and irrefutable assurance that I have made mi esposa happy!

Then, and only then, pursue the unique. Maybe I'll try to save the world, at times, when I get off my lazy butt. A little web activism, now and then. A couple pro bono websites. Posting on a few forums and blogs. I'll brag. (See?)