Convergent Evolution
Similar competitive problems produce similar strategic solutions, even when companies have never heard of each other.
The best solutions converge. The mediocre ones diverge. When a problem has a truly optimal solution, independent evolution discovers it repeatedly. When multiple viable solutions exist, diversity persists.
Convergent evolution occurs when independent lineages evolve similar solutions to the same environmental problem. The camera eye evolved at least twice in vertebrates and cephalopods, despite their common ancestor 600+ million years ago having only simple light-sensitive cells. Wings evolved independently in insects, pterosaurs, birds, and bats - four separate origins of powered flight. Echolocation evolved independently in bats and toothed whales. C4 photosynthesis evolved at least 60 times in flowering plants.
Convergence is strongest when selective pressures are strong, environments are stable, and viable solutions are constrained. The fitness landscape has peaks representing optimal trait combinations; multiple lineages climb toward them from different starting points. Single-peak landscapes produce strong convergence (streamlined bodies for fast swimming), while multi-peak landscapes produce limited convergence (diverse anti-predator defenses).
Business Application of Convergent Evolution
Similar competitive problems produce similar strategic solutions, even when companies have never heard of each other. When the fitness landscape has a dominant peak, all competitors converge regardless of starting point. Aldi and Trader Joe's independently converged on limited SKU models; Teladoc and Ping An Good Doctor converged on telehealth platforms; Revolut and Asian super-apps converged on integrated financial ecosystems.