The Third Win: How Dinner with My Family Taught Me a Game-Changing Business Strategy

We’ve all heard of “win-win,” right? It’s one of those phrases that’s been around forever. In business, it means two parties walk away feeling like they both got something out of the deal. Seems pretty straightforward. But let me tell you about a recent dinner with my family that made me realize the real secret to success isn’t just a win-win—it’s the third win.

The Dinner Dilemma

Here’s a little window into my life. I have a husband and kids, and every time we go out to eat, it’s a whole thing. My husband loves trying new foods, I’m all about something healthy, and the kids? Well, if it’s not chicken nuggets, fries, or pizza, they’re not having it. Sound familiar?

One evening, we went through our usual “where should we eat?” conversation that felt like it was going in circles. I suggested a Mexican restaurant, knowing that the menu would give my husband his food adventure, offer me some healthy options, and surprise—also had hamburgers for the kids. Everyone was happy! Win-win-win.

Then it hit me—this isn’t just a dinner hack. It’s a life hack. It’s a business hack.

I had to find something that worked for me, my husband, and the kids. Everyone walked away satisfied. That third win made all the difference in avoiding complaints, settling for something less than ideal, or dragging out decision-making.

Win-Win Is Good, But Win-Win-Win is Better

That dinner inspired me to rethink how we approach success in business. We often hear about creating win-win scenarios in negotiations, but what if we expanded that? What if we made sure a third group also won? What kind of impact would that have?

In business, that third win could be your team, customers, investors, or family. Whoever it is, when you account for them, the results go beyond “good”—they become game-changing.

The Missing Third Win

So, let’s talk about what happens when the third win isn’t there. Take your team, for example. If you’re making decisions with just yourself and the customer in mind, you might end up with something that looks great on paper but flops in execution because the team wasn’t on board. They weren’t considered in the process, and it shows in the result.

On the flip side, when the team is included as an equal player, the outcome is 100% more likely to be successful because they feel motivated, respected, and fully engaged in the process.

Examples of the Third Win

Let’s break it down a little more. Here’s what it looks like when everyone wins:

• When you win: You hit your personal objectives—whether that’s a revenue goal, a big project milestone, or landing a new client.
• When your customer wins: They feel like they’ve gotten great value, service, or a quality product.
• When your team wins: They feel appreciated, heard, and motivated, which translates into better execution and results.

That third win can be the difference between getting by and skyrocketing your success.

How to Implement the Win-Win-Win Strategy

So how do you start applying this in your own life or business? Here are a few steps I’ve used that can make all the difference.

1. Know Your Audiences

Every audience has a different "why." Your team’s why might be different from your customers’, which might be different from your own. Take the time to ask each group what their needs are instead of assuming you already know.

2. Get Customer Feedback

One of the first things I do with new clients is send out a customer survey. I’ll be honest, they’re not short—40 questions sometimes! But the insights are gold. Understanding your customers’ why is key to delivering what they actually need and creating that third win.

3. Understand Yourself

Let’s get real for a second: you can’t create success for others if you don’t know what you’re good at. I’ve taken every self-assessment under the sun (DISC, StrengthsFinder, Myers-Briggs—you name it). These tools have helped me lean into my strengths and bring others in to cover my weaknesses.

4. Know Your Team

Team-building isn’t just about trust falls and bowling nights. It’s about understanding your team on a deeper level. What motivates them? Where do they struggle? Getting everyone to take self-assessments and share results builds transparency and opens up conversations about how to work together more effectively.

Putting It All Together

The next time you’re making a big decision, ask yourself, “Am I creating a win-win-win for everyone involved?” If not, tweak the plan. It’s easy to focus on yourself and the customer—but challenge yourself to include the third win (your team, your family, or your investors). I promise you’ll see a difference in your results.

Win-win-win might seem simple, but it’s a game-changing strategy for businesses looking to scale and thrive. After all, why settle for just two wins when you can have three?