Although it is important to know what your competition or opposition on a campaign is doing, it can become a slippery slope. Know what they are up to for sure, but avoid letting that divert from the plan you laid out or consuming your energy.

A political colleague for whom I hold a great deal of respect called it setting up flares. Basically it is creating distractions for your opposition to keep them focused on reacting to the flares, while you are proactively and successfully moving forward with your own plan. Once you let what others are doing take over as the focus of how your team is working, you lose track of the vision for the organization and start spinning wheels.

Keep the motion of the organization moving ahead by being aware of what your competition is up to, then set it aside and put your energy and trust in your own well thought through plan.