Zero-Sum Mindset: Such Weakness!

This past week’s news was a stark reminder of how today’s global political scene feels more polarized than ever. When millions of people’s lives are at stake, the prevailing bravado and zero-sum thinking seems painfully out of place. Don’t get me wrong—advocating for one’s position with elegance and grace is important. Yet, when the end goal can be best summed up as “I need to win, and YOU MUST LOSE,” the real potential for progress becomes significantly limited. That’s not strong leadership that elevates a situation; it’s a position of weakness driven by fear. And under pressure, it can seep into every corner of leadership if we’re not careful.

I came across a New York Times piece by Damien Cave that really drove this point home. One quote stood out:

“A zero-sum worldview has long shaped the foreign policy approach, turning every potential partnership into a competitor to be bested.”

Reading that, I couldn’t help but think about how this perspective ripples through organizations and teams. Leading from a place of scarcity breeds suspicion, unhealthy competition, and a fear of giving an inch—stifling creativity, curiosity, and teamwork. Awful!

That’s why it’s so important not to give in to these poor leadership examples or the pressures they create. We must stay steadfast and resolved to pursue a positive-sum mindset. Positive-sum leadership asserts there’s more than enough success to go around. It asks, “How can we collaborate so that everyone benefits?” It encourages us to step outside ourselves and get the 360° view. By doing so, we can better spot the “right thing to do,” because we understand the big picture and become more creative and innovative without having to “give up” what matters most. The situation shifts into an AND discussion.

If you want to foster more positive-sum thinking on your team, consider:

• Proactively Seek All Perspectives – Make it a habit to gather insights from every angle. Often, the real solution only emerges after we’ve heard all voices.
• Champion Mutual Wins – Reinforce the belief that collaboration can expand the pie. When people see the potential for shared success, defensiveness fades.
• Check Our Assumptions – Do we always have to believe there’s only one winner? Questioning that narrative opens the door to more inclusive, creative solutions.
• Value Understanding Over Being Right – The goal isn’t to “win” an argument; it’s to find the best path forward. Truly understanding each perspective can reveal unexpected common ground.
• Understand Your Position – Clearly articulate your perspective and, most importantly, why you hold it.
• Remain Flexible – Stay open to new possibilities so you can benefit from everyone’s knowledge and skills.

This approach demands intentional leadership—especially in moments of conflict or high stakes.

When leaders embrace a positive-sum outlook, teams become more innovative, more trusting, and more aligned in purpose. Instead of pouring energy into turf wars, they build something bigger than themselves.

So, I invite you to pause and reflect:

• Where are you seeing a zero-sum mindset at play in your environment?
• What step could you take this week to transform that dynamic into a positive-sum opportunity?

In a world that often feels fraught with tension—politically and otherwise—positive-sum thinking can be a breath of fresh air. It reminds us that progress isn’t about forcing someone else to lose. It’s about weaving together every perspective so we can all move forward more effectively, together.

As the Times article suggests, zero-sum thinking may have its moment on the global stage, but we don’t have to play by those rules in our own circles.

A full 360-degree view helps us see that leadership, at its best, is about opening doors, not slamming them shut.

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