THEY say everyone loves the winner. One song even says, “The winner takes it all.” But winning could really be a state of mind. When the cheers subside and the trophies gather dust on the shelf, what lingers are the lessons of the journey. Check out biographies of successful people and you’ll see that most of them were products of second, third and multiple chances. Thomas Edision, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, to name three.
We hail the valedictorians. We salute the Oscar awardee for Best Actor. Confetti gets showered at the basketball team that bags the championship plum. Applause, applause… But runners-up have their share of track records as well. Consistent nominees have earned our respect too. Second, third and fourth placers have created track records that keep them in the race. Quite often, it’s the finalist in American Idol, not necessarily the proclaimed champion that sells in the long run.
Competition makes us keep score on the state of your performance. In ancient literature, the hero ultimately shines because of the pressure he gets from his nemesis. That is why many times, CEOs use sports as a metaphor in their own quest of winning in the market battlefield. You get subjected to the rigors of discipline. One must sharpen his focus on the goal and manage occasional setbacks.
True, the one who finishes first gets heralded as a cut above the rest. History will secure his name in a distinguished roster. Who wouldn’t want that? Whenever Freddie Mercury belts out. “We are the champions of the world,” we get riveted by scenes where ecstatic praise and euphoric tribute lavishly embrace the winners. Let’s admit this – nothing less that this is worth aiming for.
But is there honor in placing second or third? Yes. A hundred times yes if the process has made you a better person. Pitted against the rivals, the opportunity provided real training to level the quality of your talent and skill. It necessitated the value of ruthless assessment and increased your threshold for obstacles. Let’s ask ourselves: Did we have fun along the way? Did it nurture our relationships with teammates? Did we respond well to constructive feedback? Will this challenge us to do better the next time around? And best gauge of all – did we use our talents to glorify God?
The ongoing transformation journey of many organizations will pose challenging scenarios where more winning moments will be envisioned. That’s healthy. Just don’t confine the concept of winning to receiving a trophy or medal. Yes, these are certifications for jobs well done. But winning becomes more meaningful when we see competition as a means to improve ourselves and celebrate the gifts of talent and relationships. No gold, silver or bronze can capture that.
So may I have the envelope, please? Drum roll… Fanfare music… And the winner is… the one who has kept the journey priceless!