#1182 Winners lose more
Winning isn't everything; it's a long-term strategy
The biggest issue with leaders is the need to win. And, Covey's famous "Win-Win" is deceptive.
In business, I look at the resolution to every issue not as the resolution to that particular issue but rather as what that resolution means over the long haul.
A win for anyone comes at the cost of someone else, and win-win is sometimes a nice euphemism for compromise, which often means neither of us got what we wanted.
As a leader, I want to work three to five years out. I have a plan. The daily comings and goings need to be headed in the direction of my plan, though not in a straight line.
Look at the graph image that is in the title of this post, and imagine each dip represents a disagreement I, the leader, lost
There are many more "losses" than wins, but if you put a ruler on the first and last data points, you'd notice a 20% upward trend. That's the win.
As a leader, it's all about the ultimate objective: your long-term vision.
Most leaders need to win too much. This applies in business and so many areas of life. How many times have you been in a conversation that broke down over a minor point's right and wrong and never reached the bigger conclusion?
The subjugation of anyone will build resentment and rebellion; the need to constantly be right is a form of subjugation.
As a leader, listening is key. You don't need to opine about everything. Sometimes, you listen without correction, even if you believe the thinking to be incorrect. You do this when it's valuable for someone to learn a lesson or not to impose your view if the outcome isn't overly detrimental to the long-term objective.
It takes a lot of confidence to believe you're correct and stay silent, but this strategy will enhance your persona as a leader over time. This will encourage folks to follow your vision and get you to your long-term objectives with less conflict.
Many leaders use 40lb test on a stiff rod, treating every hook-up like a whale. Leading is more like playing a big trout on a light fly rod. You don't drag folks to your vision – you lead them.