So far in this short series on The 7 Habits, we’ve gone over habits 1-3:
(1) Be proactive,
(2) Begin with the end in mind, and
(3) Put first things first.
Here’s what we’ll be covering today…
Habit 4. Think win-win
Thinking Win/Win is about looking at life through the lens of cooperation rather than competition.
A win/win mindset is the idea that every interaction you have will be mutually beneficial.
It’s the notion that your success doesn’t take away the opportunities that others have for success, and vice versa.
It’s the idea that if a situation isn’t a win for everyone involved, it’s not really a win for anyone involved.
Having a win/win mindset is actually a habit of leadership in interpersonal relationships. And character is at its foundation.
To promote win-win situations, you need to have integrity, maturity, and an abundance mentality.
Having an abundance mentality is the idea that there’s enough for everyone. It’s the ability to be happy for others when they are successful because you don’t see their success as limiting to your own opportunities.
Win-win relationships are those in which the emotional bank accounts of all parties are high, and the energy can be focused upon creative and desirable outcomes.
When you’re working with others, try to think not in terms of who’s right and who’s wrong, but instead think about what a third and even better solution might be.
Actionable insights
To practice this habit, think about a situation in your near future where you’ll need to do some problem-solving with another person.
Think about how the other person views the situation, and write down the solutions you believe they’ll propose in order for the outcome to be a win for them.
Next, write down the things that would need to occur for the solution to be a win for you.
Finally, ask the other person to discuss the possible solutions and work to come to an agreement that will be mutually beneficial.
Live, in-person training: Want Dean Bokhari to train your group on The 7 Habits? Email hi@deanbokhari.com (write “live training” in the subject for a prompt response)
