Source: Image of Chess Board, Public Domain,http://mrg.bz/JG4ixU; Image of Team, Public Domain, http://mrg.bz/kB10b9
Hi, I'm Julie Tietz, and welcome to Conflict Resolution: Putting the Pieces Together. Today, we're going to talk about the differences between zero sum and win-win thinking as it relates to negotiation and conflict.
When we are utilizing zero-sum thinking, the parties believe that in order for us to gain something, the other person must lose. So it's kind of that game mentality, such as a chess game, where we are strategizing for us to gain the most that we can. And in order for us to gain the most that we can, the other person has to lose. And this, in a real life situation, typically involves a competition over resources. So the parties are using zero-sum thinking, because they believe that there is a limited amount of resources, and we have to have all of those resources, because if we don't have them, then we lose out, and the other party will get the resources that we need. And this can also be described as distributive bargaining. So that's just another term, or a form, of negotiation that is based on zero-sum thinking.
The other side is win-win thinking, and this is what we really want the parties to focus on when we are in negotiation and conflict resolution. In here, everyone has the potential to gain. And they have the potential to gain because we are focusing on people's interests, rather than their positions. So we're looking at those underlying reasons why people want something, and we focus on that, so everyone can get their interest met, and really gain out of the situation.
And we are working as a team here. So we want the parties to view the process as a collaborative effort. And when we do this, everyone has better satisfaction, and that really does make sense, because when we are focusing on our own needs, and also focusing on the other's needs, as an equal effort, then everyone wins. And this is also another term for win-win thinking, it's integrative bargaining. So it's a form of negotiation, or conflict resolution, that is based on win-win thinking.
So now that we've gone over zero-sum versus win-win thinking, let's go over key points. Zero-sum thinking revolves around a competition, so a game. And in order for us to win something, somebody must lose here. Whereas win-win thinking involves cooperation, so we're working together as a team, and collaboratively. And everyone wins here. Everyone has the potential to gain with win-win thinking.
That's all I have for you today. Please look over our key terms here. Feel free to pause and look them over. Thank you so much for taking the time out today to view this tutorial, and I can't wait to catch you again next time.