I am a fan of the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” written by the late, Stephen R. Covey and this habit, Habit #4 Think Win-Win seems to be one of the most widely known.
This chapter introduces the concept of win-win. Some people equate “Think Win-Win” to being nice, but it is not. Nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration.
Most of us learn to base our self-worth on comparisons and competition. We think about succeeding in terms of someone else failing–that is, if I win, you lose; or if you win, I lose. Life becomes a zero-sum game. There is only so much pie to go around, and if you get a big piece, there is less for me; it’s not fair, and I’m going to make sure you don’t get anymore. We all play the game, but how much fun is it really?
Win-win sees life as a cooperative arena, not a competitive one. Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win-win means agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying. We both get to win.
A person or organization that approaches conflicts with a win-win attitude possesses three vital character traits:
- Integrity: sticking with your true feelings, values, and commitments
- Maturity: expressing your ideas and feelings with courage and consideration for the ideas and feelings of others
- Abundance Mentality: believing there is plenty for everyone
The following are a few questions you can ask yourself this month to see if you are practicing Habit 4.
- Do I feel happy when others succeed?
- Do I work to find alternatives that benefit all when solving conflicts?
- Do I trust others to perform well without continually checking up on them?
Wishing you a fantastic month ahead; I hope that the articles in this month’s issue will inspire and motivate you. Don’t forget to take advantage of the links to connect further with our contributors.
