Tag Archives: winning

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Winning/Losing Graciously

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Years ago a soccer teammate of mine quipped after a close match “winners rule while losers check the rules”.   I believe the jubilation of winning clouded his judgment.

Win or lose respect for your opponents, the process, and culturally correct behavior should be the only option.  Gloating or behaving like a spoilt child should be condemned as unacceptable.

Accept Defeat

Being able to take on an opponent, put forth a credible fight, and seek to win within the context of playing field boundaries and the rules of the game is honorable in and of itself.

While winning is the goal, defeat does not make you less worthy.  Questioning the rules, cheating, and disrespecting your opponent are dishonorable behaviors.  Losing is not part of this.

Watching soon-to-be former President Trump’s behavior following his recent defeat in the US Presidential election is a classic example of how not to react to losing.

Once again he is ignoring time-honored political traditions to concede gracefully.  Dragging it out, contending when you are obviously done, and encouraging your supporters to follow you down this path disrespects us all.

Civil Behaviour

Democracy expects, no demands we behave civilly.  In this way, everyone wins.  Even with different political views, we are one society bonded together by a common belief in cultural norms, freedoms and respect.

Donal Trump is not a leader but a narcissistic dictator for whom the majority of the population has rightfully and thankfully finally defeated.

The lies, disrespect of fellow humans, and continuance of the reign of the worst President of the United States has ended, it is time to rejoice.

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Stealing Home

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Sports analogies are at a forefront for me this week although I have no idea why.

In baseball when a runner advances to a base to which he is not entitled in the normal course of play, for example by a hit or a walk, it’s credited as a stolen base.

I think of this as analogous to attaining a goal outside the normal process.  Achieving a strategy outside of standard channels could be thought of a stolen success.

Of course, stolen in this case  is within the rules, not outside the law.  The beauty of it is that it is unexpected by others, the stolen element has an element of surprise.

Sneaking Success

Planning an approach to achieve your goals without fully communicating to all stakeholders can be risky, however the element of surprise can be an advantage to you.

Caution must be exercised to ensure you are not being underhanded in a way that would offend.  This takes skill and careful preparation and planning.

Stealing your success often means you don’t need to overcome obstacles typically associated with bureaucracy.  You simple bypass andif needed apologize later.

Handle with Care

Executed carefully, so you are not labeled as sneaky, theresults can be achieved with greater speed and effciency.  Overall the appraoch can be quite satisfying.

The value is stealing home most likely is the fact accomplishments that would not be or ones that become watered down, are possible to achieve this way.

It is an approach worth considering as long asthe reward outweighs the risks.

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Home Run

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“Hitting a home run” is a common phrase which leverages a sports term and has come to indicate success.  For example, following a successful presentation, others might compliment you on your home run.

Taking the sports analogy to a higher level, consider hitting a home run requires a bat (that is a powerful tool) and rules (without them how would you know a home run has been hit).

Using Your Bat

Treading lightly, I don’t mean to imply you need to weld a big stick to achieve a home run, however, using the tools available to you, within the rules you are constrained by, is an important consideration to success.

Home runs don’t happen magically, preparation, training, selecting the best tool (the type of bat) are all key considerations.  Also, as baseball players well know, even if you do everything right there is an element of chance.

That is, no matter what be prepared not to hit a homer every time. However, like the great players you can hit a high percentage of home runs with the right preparation, attitude, and training.

Aspiration

Not to be underplayed by the need for a bat and adherence to the rules hitting home runs requires dedication, passion and desire.  Without ambition, it is unlikely you will have a high percentage of break-away hits.

Consider your approach when seeking to send the ball far into the outfield.  Your skill attitude and motivation are all key drivers laying the foundation for that ball to sail away.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Bargaining

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Working to define the terms and conditions of a transaction through discussion is the classic definition of bargaining.   Typically you are working for your own benefit.

When the results are in our favor we typically call this a bargain.  The implication is a bargain is a result of negotiating favorable terms.

Winners and Losers

Logically, for any given transaction, if one person got a bargain, the other did not.  Of course both can percieve, from a subjective perspective, the transaction was in their favor.

The will occur when the participating parties have different priorities.  For example in a sale transaction if one party has price as a priority and the other timeliness both aspects could be satisfied and everyone feels they got a bargain.

Unfortunately this win/win scenario is not always possible and some times the bargain sessions and associated results or failure to achieve results at all can leave one or even both parties dissapointed.

Personally, when bargaining, I often find seeking a bargain that works well for everyone leads to the best results.  That is not just thinking about your priorities but giving the other parties some thought as well.

If I can’t win, I don’t want to play

Of course, seeking a solution beneficial to all is not a one way street and although it is a great perspective, I have found it is not always feasible.  

However, sometimes a party to the bargain is ruthlessly self centered and in those cases seeking a solution that works best for you can become the only viable option.