The Very Definition of Winning

I'm afraid that reality television (and our current political climate) is twisting the meaning of what it is to win:     they would have you believe that whatever means is necessary (bullying, name calling, deceitfulness) to obliterate the competition is warranted as long as one gets one's own way.     And the singular is not a mistake - it seems that parallel to this is the thought that the fewer that "win" (top 1%?) the bigger the victory.

And it's wrong.

Let's talk about sportsmanship - and let's name it what it is - integrity.  You want to win?   Be honest, invest the hard work in thoughtfulness. . .be fair.   Consistently conduct your business with integrity.

Let's  talk about the value of the team.   As much as many people think they can do it all by themselves - truth is -  most can't.  An even greater truth is that the solutions created and executed by dedicated, hard-working and honest teams are always more successful than the work of one.     You want to win?   Choose, embrace and support a great team.

Let's not confuse who the competition is.   The competition is not someone on your team.   Once while interviewing a potential employee from a competing  retailer, he disclosed to me that the environment at his current store was "running gun battles in the hall."   What a waste of time and resources.   It wasn't long until this particular retailer declared bankruptcy.   They mistakenly thought the competition was interior - the competition is truly exterior.  You want to win?   Be clear about who the competition really is.

Don't isolate yourself.    Reach out to others for the very reason of building a better solution that will include as many people as possible.  You want to win?   Be inclusive.

The old adage of winning the battle and losing the war has merit.    Winning through bullying, deceitfulness and no thought to integrity is only a temporary victory.    We must believe that great teamwork, honesty,  thoughtfulness, progressiveness combined with a true understanding of the goal is what ultimately wins.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.