{"id":21696,"date":"2020-12-24T09:46:55","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T13:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=21696"},"modified":"2020-12-27T18:38:16","modified_gmt":"2020-12-27T22:38:16","slug":"a-win-win-solution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/a-win-win-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"A Win-Win Solution: Yes, It Exists & How to Reach It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you think that for you to win, somebody else has to lose? Is there such a thing as a win-win<\/a> solution? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his book First Things First<\/em>, Stephen Covey discusses our tendency to think that if you win, someone else must lose. He takes the opposite stance: there is always a way to reach a win-win solution<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn about Stephen Covey’s three-step process for reaching a win-win solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to Create a Win-Win Solution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Society teaches us to have a \u201cwin-lose\u201d mindset — if you win, someone else must lose. But to reach your goals<\/a> in an interdependent world, you need to change how you think about winning. Winning doesn\u2019t mean someone else loses; winning means accomplishing your goals, and you can accomplish more if you cooperate rather than compete.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three steps to reaching a win-win solution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Approach the problem with a \u201cwin-win\u201d attitude: <\/strong>This first step is to adopt the appropriate mindset. To arrive at a win-win solution, you need to first acknowledge that individual success at the expense of the group isn\u2019t true success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Listen first, then speak:<\/strong> The second step involves listening and seeking to understand the other person\u2019s point of view. Don\u2019t speak until you understand all the sides of the issue, and until others in the group are satisfied that you understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Synergize<\/a>:<\/strong> The last step is to create a list of alternatives that are better than the solutions that any individual could come up with herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if We Can\u2019t Reach a Win-Win Solution?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the three steps are difficult to execute when you disagree with others. Here\u2019s how to troubleshoot each step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Approach the problem with a \u201cwin-win\u201d attitude: <\/strong>Think of your differences as an asset. You\u2019ll end up with a creative solution that none of you could have come up with on your own. Go into the discussion with an open mind and commit to keep the discussion going until you arrive at a win-win solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, say you\u2019re a sales representative. The manufacturing facility you work with has been late delivering its shipments, causing you to make late deliveries to clients. Your clients aren\u2019t happy. You go to talk to the manager of the facility to work out the problem and he tells you he\u2019s been swamped and you\u2019re lucky to get your shipments at all. Rather than get upset, you realize that this man is doing his best. You want him to win. You want your clients to win. And you want to win yourself. You seek a solution that works for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Listen first, then speak:<\/strong> Get into the other person\u2019s shoes — what is the problem from her viewpoint? Identify the key issues that are preventing you from moving forward toward a solution. Figure out what constitutes a \u201cwin\u201d for the other person or other people involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the sales rep in the example above, you find out that the demand for the manager\u2019s product has increased dramatically but he has no additional funding from headquarters. Labor costs<\/a> are up and the manager feels your requested delivery dates are unrealistic. Once he\u2019s done sharing his problems, you share yours. Then, you identify that the key issues are funding, the manager\u2019s relationship with headquarters, and your relationship with clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Synergize:<\/strong> Keep an open mind and make a list of possible solutions that meet the criteria determined in the second step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You and the manager create a list of possible solutions. You could estimate what products you\u2019ll need ahead of time to give the facility more time to deliver them. For willing customers, you could deliver partial orders as the products become available. Or you could work together to make the order-processing system more efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a Shared Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every interdependent unit benefits from having a shared vision — it\u2019s important to know: What is the purpose of my marriage? What is the purpose of my family? What is the purpose of my organization? Most problems in families and organizations arise from the absence of a shared vision. People are confused about what goals they\u2019re collectively working toward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A shared vision taps the creativity, motivation, and initiative of every individual involved. It\u2019s a type of constitution that gives the group clear criteria on which to base decisions. But in order to reap these benefits, groups must create mission statements that articulate a shared vision that empowers everyone<\/em>. Keep the following qualities in mind when creating your shared mission statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empowering mission statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n