Hmmm... what do we have here? Could it be that we have someone sage enough to understand that business, like life, is multifaceted? That it supersedes black-and-white characterizations of how business is built?
"Winning is not everything," he continued, pacing across the stage, the spotlight following his agitated gait. "IT IS THE ONLY THING!"
Ah, we were so close to a dose of humanity. So close.
Let's face it. Winning feels good. Coming in first has been pounded into us since those kindergarten field day races so long ago. You want to be at the top of the podium. You want the promotion. You want that sale.
But chances are, even for the most successful among us, you're going to lose now and then. That's a good thing.
McDougall Travers Collins has been blessed over the past few months, having been awarded assignments from highly respected organizations in sectors ranging from medical technology to financial services to healthcare delivery to automotive industry manufacturing. But we've also lost.
Just a couple weeks ago, we came in second to a well-known NYC-based firm in a competitive bid. Why? They promised the client that they'd land them on the Today Show in six weeks or less. We refused to make similar guarantees, preferring to take a more reasoned and seasoned approach.
In this case, losing made us take stock of how we conduct business. Thankfully, we passed that self-assessment with our heads held high.
But losing also makes you stronger. It makes you more deeply study what went wrong, and what went right. It fortifies your resolve to fight the better fight the next time around. It helps you assess the character of those around you.
Losing, when viewed in perspective, helps build long-term winners.
And that exec who screamed that winning was the only thing? Little did he realize that he had quickly lost that which he most desired: the respect of those in the room. Unfortunately, in his case, winning may always prove elusive.
0 comments:
Post a Comment