Win-Win Doesn’t Work Anymore

A Win-Win is no longer a fair and winning strategy for negotiations. I know it’s been around for nearly 4 decades since the publication of the book: Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury.??

Now, thanks to William Ury’s evolved thinking, we are all able to benefit by extending Win-Win to Win-Win-Win. During conflicts or negotiations, this new strategy will enable you to come away with a win, both individually and for the new third party.??

Who is this new third party? Why should they be added to this tried and true, two-part win-win process? In reality, finding a resolution to a conflict or disagreement is no longer simply enough to allow both parties to feel like they have a "win." Everybody goes home somewhat happy and satisfied.??

We now know that this is short-sighted, somewhat egotistical, and dangerous. This can be particularly true when major corporations struggle through sensitive negotiations. Once a final resolution is reached, it often includes some sort of “win” for each party.??

So, why do we need a third "win" in this equation? When two major corporations each come away with a “win,” what is the result for their consumers, community, nation, planet, and the human race – the third party???

It is becoming common for major corporations to be able to ignore the consumers and just “pass the cost along.” Or we see Greenwashing that looks and sounds good but often is a disguise for what is really going on behind the curtain.??

The main parties involved in these conflicts or negotiations may be able to come away with a "win" to report to their stockholders and board members.??

The third "win" can be non-existent. That is what must change. How does the larger community "win"? What are the longer implication for the larger human family? Yes, it's satisfying to believe that the major parties in the conflict or disagreement seem to have come to a resolution, and both of them can proclaim a “win.” This has been the standard for nearly 4 decades. ?

What is the win for the larger family, the world family, the planet we all call home? That is the new "Win" which we must add to the old two-part equation.???

Yet, today’s world climate – especially in the United States – finds us living in increasingly bi-lateral circumstances. No matter the level of human interaction, there seem to be two distinctly opposing views and strategies for moving forward. Each party expresses exclusive ownership of the right truth.??

There are many examples of this in international politics, local lawmaking, and communication of people with one another. When conflicts and disagreements are “settled,” and both sides can taut a win, there is often a third party who loses. That third party is the consumer, the community, the individual, the climate, the planet. These are the third parties who often lose when a bipartisan agreement is reached.???

Major corporations, being aware of this new thinking, are developing Greenwashing techniques to give an impression they are seeking to include the larger society. Closer investigation proves this is only a new smokescreen for hidden corporate behavior.??

In families, when there is conflict and disagreement, it is a relief when the opposing parties decide to “bury the hatchet.” But what is the longer effect this battle had on the larger family – the third party???

It is time for all companies, countries, colleagues, and cousins to both recognize and value the effects of this strategy on others in their unique sphere of existence, as well as the overall impact on the rest of the human race.?

Finding a Win-Win-Win for everyone involved may seem like a bigger challenge, at least on the surface. However, when combatants recognize the importance and value of including that third party and break the old bi-lateral approach, then we can all live more peacefully and healthfully on this one planet that we share.?

That will truly be a Win-Win-Win.