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Home > Michelle's Blog > Previous Postings > 09/06/07
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Previous Postings |
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September 6, 2007:
Win or Lose?As a “one of 10 kids” growing up, then a four sport athlete in high school and a two sport collegiate athlete, I had a lot of competitive opportunities throughout my life. Even still, as a 43 year old woman, I compete in hockey, basketball, softball, running and many other very competitive events. Yes, it’s a lot different when you have cellulite and sagging body parts to deal with, but it still works. Today I want to talk about corporate competition and how to decide when to win and when to “not win”. I don’t want to call it losing, because, I hope by the end of this story, you’ll see that sometimes “not winning” can still be winning when it comes to corporate events.
Many CEO’s and corporate leaders, teachers, coaches, even parents, want their employees, students and their kids to “win at all cost”. Get the sale, make more money, win the game, make the most points and/or goals. But is that truly the way to “win in life”?
A couple weeks ago, my company had a golf event. In our company, maybe a fourth of the employees are actually golfers, so it’s meant to be a fun, get away from the office, type of event. On one hole, there was a longest drive competition. Luckily, I had a pretty good drive on that hole and ended up with the longest drive. Trust me, it was luck!!!
But when we got to the Bar-B-Q after the golf, where we were giving out the awards, I saw my name on the list as a winner of that event. I thought to myself, “That’s kind of dumb. Why would I want to win an event that is meant for the employees and other business partners of the company to have fun?” So I crossed my name off and put a name of an employee who only golf’s once a year – at this event.
When her name was called, she had an expression of “What? I did not win!” But they told her not to be so proud and take the prize. She looked at me and gave me the cutest smile – a gratitude that said it all. In my mind, I’m thinking, “HELLO – how vain am I if I need to win an event, just to have someone say that I won?” Especially when I paid for the prizes…HA!
So I challenge each of you – did I win that day? As the CEO of the company, I made one employee happy because she won something at a game that she never plays and it actually embarrasses her. She’d much rather be quilting. Even if she didn’t win what that specific competition was for, she won in my eyes – just for coming out and trying.
When your students or your kids compete in any event, do you praise those that scored the most or those that helped the team win? If the goalie allows the game winning goal – for the other team – do you remember all the other goals that were stopped? Do you congratulate the point scorer or the assist giver? Do you give the outstanding athlete award to the top hitter or the top setter?
And in the corporate world, do you give awards to those that made the sale, or those that towed the rope while the sale was being made? Do you want to win corporate events so your name will be announced or lose so others can feel proud of this success – making your company even stronger because your employees love their job, just a little bit more.
Keep smiling!
Michelle
