The Near Zero Sum Game

Money I give to you, I no longer have. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Your loss is my gain. These are different ways to describe a zero sum gain where benefits to one party automatically detriment the other party. This describes all competitive sports and many business situations. (For an example of a near zero sum game in a business situation see http://blog.inc.com/the-breakthrough-company/2008/01/the_right_kind_of_conflict.html.)

Zero sum games intrinsically create conflict. Although business presenters seem to love to use sports analogies, business situations are usually near zero sum games not complete zero sum games. If we look at ways to balance positives and negatives amongst the involved parties, not all of our gains will be someone else’s losses. Look for ways to come up with win win or both win ideas. The only limit to finding these possibilities is your imagination and ability to openly communicate your ideas.