Competition is useful for teams when ______.

Competition is useful for teams when it focuses on the main goals of the team. This kind of competition can energize team members, fostering motivation and commitment towards achieving common objectives. When competition is aligned with team goals, it encourages collaboration and enhances performance as team members strive to outdo each other in ways that still contribute to the team’s success.

In situations where competition is with teams from other organizations, this can create a healthy motivation for teams to improve their performance, innovate, and strive to surpass external benchmarks. This external competition can lead to increased effort and can enhance the team's cohesion, as members work together towards a clear goal of outperforming a rival.

The other choices suggest competition might stem from less effective scenarios. For instance, competition based on money or social rewards may not promote teamwork or long-term collaboration. Likewise, internal competition within the team could lead to disunity and conflict, undermining the cooperative spirit required for team success. In contrast, focusing competition on the main goals ensures that the competitive efforts are constructive and directed towards a unified purpose.