Episodes of Living: THE RIGHT WINNING MENTALITY

Everyone has a winning mentality. It’s one of win/lose or win/win mentality. In our part of the world, especially in Ghana, politicians are motivated by the win/lose mentality in every election. When one political party wins, all the others are consigned to spectatorship. When political leadership is exchanged from one party to another, ‘the winner takes all’ and ‘the losers take nothing’. This is a purely backward thinking which has driven us into abyss as a people.

Here are two statements by leading political figures concerning the 2012 elections which strengthen the win/loose political mentality:

President John Mahama (NDC): “The election is going to be one touch…I know that God has already declared the winner and I know that is going to be the NDC.” (Source: myjoyonline.com).

Nana Akuffo Addo (NPP): “We have to win in December and vote out the incompetent and non performing NDC administration.” (Source: citifmonline.com).

And so, if the above mentality is not the best for personal and national developments, the alternative is win/win mentality. For instance, in business companies who retain more clients are those who do more to serve the best interest of their clients. Many people pay to patronize Uncle Ebo Whyte’s theatre productions because he delivers a real deal. Such people ask: What’s in for others?

In the 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, the late Stephen Covey advised on the effect of the win/lose mentality in the 4^thhabit that: “Most of us learn to base our self-worth on comparisons and competition. We think about succeeding in terms of someone else failing--that is, if I win, you lose; or if you win, I lose. Life becomes a zero-sum game.” I believe everyone who aspires to achieve a worthwhile dream in life must cultivate the mentality of win/win. Believe there is enough for everyone under the sun. Remember, your winning mentality determines your winning strategies. You will succeed!