Win-Win is the Best Possible Score

In our daily relationships, isn't it much better to seek mutual benefit and satisfaction employing a Win/Win strategy, rather than taking the more authoritarian approach of "If I win, you lose,?" It won't be much of a relationship from that point on if both parties don't win.

In the Win/Win frame of mind, all parties feel good about their mutually-arrived-at decisions. They are committed to embracing their joint action plans and expecting shared success. And. if they should fail, no one gets to take a victory lap. The Win/Win philosophy is based on willing cooperation rather than adverse competition.

Often, getting to Win/Win is not based on the success of compromise, but on choosing a third planning alternative . Things don't have to go my way; your way; or out to the highway. Perhaps, finding some synergies between the parties can lead to a better way and deliver the partners equal rewards. This often means working together to co-author fresh, new solutions, rather than simply surrendering to the other person's will or heavily compromising and potentially losing out on something you truly believed in and greatly valued. (Regarding "Synergy," as an alternative to compromise, read the 7 Habits of Effective People by Stephen R. Covey)

Personalities must never be allowed come into play and hijack the process of designing a Win/Win. Ego's must be checked at the door and each party must learn to walk in the other person's shoes to understand each other's needs and then, find a personal connection that leads to a joint victory the involved parties can celebrate.

Marc LeVine is a graduate of Syracuse (NY) University with a degree in Industrial Psychology, Marc is currently Talent Acquisitions and Learning and Development Lead at Thermo Systems. His prior employment includes senior Human Resources and staffing industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, Brickforce Staffing in Edison, InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge and Plainsboro and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ, a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a Human Resources consulting firm in Freehold for 11 years.