This is a guest post by Dana Peck. Dana serves as a professional learning consultant and is owner of Vantage Point Inc., a company that provides a full spectrum of learning, consulting and coaching solutions to assist organizations in achieving their goals aimed at excellent internal and external customer relations, sales and employee development. You can contact Dana via email
As a leader, you’ve heard about win/win negotiations and collaboration. Perhaps you have benefited from formal training on the topic. It’s not difficult to see the benefits of a win/win approach or strategy. What may be difficult, however, is cultivating the mindset that allows for win/win thinking. Consider the possibility of “And/Both” rather than “Either/Or” Thinking.
Scarcity or Abundance Mindset
The interesting thing is that when we view our world from an “either/or” viewpoint then the options are quite limiting or scarce. On the other hand, taking an “and/both” approach considerably expands our possibilities and choices.
In today’s reading, you may come across a related example of “and/both” thinking vs. “either/or.” It is sometimes tied to the concepts of an “Abundance Mindset” vs. a “Scarcity Mindset.” Look at a few of the common themes which prevail with each mindset.
Scarcity Mindset
• It’s either us or them
• Competition is the only solution and the spoils go to the victor
• Recognition and rewards are limited so I need to make myself or team look better at the expense of others
• The market is full of threats
• There just isn’t enough time or energy to get things done
• There are only so many resources available so I or the team better get ours before they are gone
• It doesn’t make sense to share credit, recognition, power or profit
• There is only one right way
Abundance Mindset
• We can work together
• Winning means success that brings mutually beneficial results to all involved
• There are many ways to do things
• There are plenty of opportunities to share resources and credit
• The marketplace holds endless possibilities
• I and the team can make time for things that really matter
• Diversity enriches
• Share the wealth
• Let’s explore ways to come up with the needed resources
Consequences of Scarcity Thinking
A Scarcity Mindset may seem like a good plan at first, but over time too much energy is wasted on conflict, negative thinking, and stifled creativity. If you notice team behaviors that suggest criticism rather than support or withholding of resources or information rather than sharing, then it is likely a Scarcity Mindset has set in. The focus is on “what isn’t there or can’t be done” rather than “what is or can be done.” The negative consequences have the potential to take a serious and long-range toll on all stakeholders.
Benefits of Abundance Thinking
An Abundance Mindset believes there are enough resources available to accomplish goals. It understands that success doesn’t mean failure for others. Abundance Thinkers believe that the more successful they are, the more those around them will benefit as well. They are happy to see their friends and associates prosper. They enter into business transactions with a “win/win” attitude. They win when their customers win. They exercise a thought process of both mind and heart that continuously seeks mutual benefit. Trust is created. New ideas and solutions emerge. Abundance thrives on growth and synergy.
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
Winston Churchill
Sam Parker, in his book 212°…the Extra Degree, cites a law of science that can change the way one thinks. At 211° water is a very hot liquid—AND at 212° it boils AND with boiling water comes steam. AND steam can power a locomotive. It is often that one extra degree of effort or thinking that moves good to great!
Harness the Power of “And/Both”
On an individual basis and with your team, take time to consider some issues that until now seemed to be incompatible. Join the two opposing thoughts or concepts together with AND. Turn your phrase into a question and start brainstorming!
• How can I advance my career AND still have time for family and friends ?
• How can we cut costs by 10% AND still have happy customers?
• How can we take on another new project AND keep team energy high?
Then free your mind to envision the possibility of BOTH. It may seem odd or uncomfortable at first, but give it a try. The possibilities can be both endless and exciting!
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Useful post; particularly in the current testing times we certainly need to get into and/both mode of thinking…
I agree Ramki. This type of thinking does not come naturally to most of us technical types. We tend to think more linearly, but using and/both thinking can be very powerful. It certainly improves collaboration.
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