I overheard a colleague yesterday explain a situation in which we would really come out on top, much more so than our partner in the discussed venture. He described it as “really being a win/win for us.”
I pondered that statement for a minute, and then realized an entertaining but sad paradox had almost slipped by without my noticing. Hopefully you’ve caught it, too.
The idea of win/win is that you win and I win. We win. Therefore, the idea that something is a “win/win for us” doesn’t work when us is actually just me and everyone else on my side.
The really sad thing is I think this colleague thinks “win/win” actually describes a really big win, or a double-dose of winning.
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Good catch. I’ve also seen this change in what win/win means. Similarly to what you describe, I hear win/win used to explain a situation in which it doesn’t matter which course of action a customer takes, the company wins either way.
Can it really be a win/win with an unequal trade in value? Of course not. Win/win means you both arrive at the same value destination and no one goes home with a crappy shirt that says, “My company took my money and I’ll I got is this lousy t-shirt”.
Thinking win/win means you win regardless might even be funnier, and sadder.
Seems I read something recently that pushed win/win/win, meaning it’s a win for both parties and society overall. Interesting concept.