Are you a winner when you lose or are you Donald Trump?

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been revisiting what it means to be a good winner and a good loser. The lessons from both prove vital in being a well-rounded and mature adult. 

When thinking about leadership, I would expect, or hope, a leader to show modesty and gratitude when ahead. Respect and admiration towards those who win and motivation for improvement when facing loss. For someone who is unable to admit, or even acknowledge where they have room for improvement, loss can be impossible to accept. There is no bigger loser than a person who is unable to see and reach for greater self potential. 

Those of us lucky enough to have parents or mentors with respectable morals learn very young that losing is a part of life. Accepting loss in stride is another opportunity for winning. Shaking hands with the other “players” no matter which side of the scoreboard you’re on is the “right” way to do things. As a kid, we might not entirely understand this concept. Showing good manners makes sense, but why is being a “good loser” or “good winner” so important?

If you’ve been reading my blog before today, you’re probably aware of my most consistent mantra: The desire and effort to better ourselves is the key determinant of success. It takes trial and error to navigate a progressive path. Wins and losses. And it takes open-mindedness, humility, and acceptance to move forward with the tools necessary to create positive transformation. 

Wins show us what works. How we react to those wins reveals our character. Are we the type to gloat? To believe that one win, in one walk of life, makes us better than anyone else? Or are we the type to congratulate the other side for their hard work and wish them the best of luck on their continued journey? Understanding there are successes from both sides to study and learn from moving forward.

Losses show us where we might make improvements. How we react to losses determines are willingness to act on those changes. Whether we stay hopeful in defeat and encouraged to work harder or remain defeated and lose more than just what was up for competition this time around. Those who lose with pride are setting themselves up to win in the long run. Perseverance with vulnerability. Burdens relieved by staying true, keeping our head up and ready for what’s next. 

Winning or losing is a moment in time. How we respond to those wins or losses is what truly establishes a winner or loser. Losing is not only inevitable, but a ladder to future successes. Just like other hardships in life, with the right attitude, losing may be turned into something positive. A ready opportunity to collect new perspective. Learning how to lose respectfully may allow others their moment of spotlight, but it can also burn the fuel brighter within ourselves. Winning must be celebrated appropriately and not ignored as a finality. With every situation that can’t be changed there is a positive outlook to walk away with.