You mixed competitiveness with competence.

Chinese tend to have a competitive attitude in work place, which often leads to negative results if the competitiveness doesn't pair up with competence. The competitiveness turns into defensiveness when Chinese are cornered because of failures, as 玫瑰 pointed out.

Being competent means visions, ideas, or the far-sight as you suggested. Based on my experience, it takes tremendous amount of hard work to achieve that :)