Win/Win: The Enlightened Business Mentality

Clearly, the business world can be viewed in two different ways. At one extreme, it is a ruthless, usury type of enterprise where the employees and companies the business deals with all need to lose in order for it to succeed. At the other end of the spectrum is the idea of an enlightened business person who brings wealth and fulfillment to all individuals and businesses involved.

What if there were highly evolved and enlightened business people at the highest levels of business? How could this change the national and global prospects for the world economy and, in fact, all of humanity?  Let’s take a closer look at what it would mean to be an enlightened business person and imagine how they might function.

An enlightened business person would have to be a great diplomat—someone who is dedicated to building bridges between people and nations. The very notion of ‘If I’m to win, you must lose’ would be foreign to such a person. Instead of compromising relationships with the win/lose mentality, an enlightened business person would understand that relationships are built, and economic prosperity continues, only through a win/win mentality. Not only is true economic prosperity gained through that spirit, but it also feeds and cultivates world peace. Nations, instead of being adversarial, become mutually supportive friends. The spirit of international comradery flourishes.

Furthermore, an enlightened business person understands that their business is composed of individuals who best serve the business if they are served by, and through, the business. The way many people view business is that the CEO and management take advantage of the employees, at the expense of the employees, in order to make money. Providing for employees goes beyond the limited view of financial benefit. Instead, an enlightened business person understands that the quality of life and self-actualization for all employees is an essential building block for every corporation and business. If management understands and supports that concept, it is a success not only for the employees, but also the business.

Another trait of an enlightened business person is that they make friends, not enemies. Imagine a business person who would create friendships among nations. This comradery would bring prosperity to all the people. It would be a mentality where no one lost, but everyone won. As the businesses of every country prospered, so would all the people in those nations. We are speaking here of an enlightened economic outlook, where the business community was not viewed in an adversarial way, but rather as a way to perpetuate harmony.

Perhaps we are coming into a time where all types of businesses are ready to embrace this concept of enlightened business dealings, whether it’s our children selling lemonade in the front yard, the small and large businesses, or international business with its diplomacy. The spirit would be the same. The understanding would be: For us to win, all those we deal with must also win.

As the John Lennon song goes: “You may think I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” If we take a look at the changes that are occurring in the business world today, it appears we are moving in such a direction. It could be a direction that can lead to world peace and prosperity for all of humanity. As Lennon said: “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” Peace is not a result of win/lose, but instead, win/win.

Dr. Michael Mamas is the founder of The Center of Rational Spirituality, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the betterment of humanity through the integration of ancient spiritual wisdom with modern rational thought. From personal issues to global trends, Michael Mamas helps individuals and organizations develop a deeper understanding and more comprehensive outlook by providing a 'bridge' between the abstract and concrete, the Eastern and Western, and the ancient and modern. Dr.  Mamas has been teaching for over 35 years and writes on a variety of subjects on his blogs: MichaelMamas.net and RationalSpirituality.org.