If Everyone's A Winner, Why Can't I Find a Job?

A friend posted an interesting article on Facebook today about an elementary school in Michigan that sent a note home to parents reminding them that during the upcoming field day, “The urge to win will be kept at a minimum.” In other words, everyone's a winner and there will be no losers during the field day games.

I remember field days as a kid at my own elementary school and then, once I was a mom, being a volunteer parent at every field day from 2^nd grade on up. It wasn’t too long ago that as that class mom I saw a hearty spirit of warm competition between the kids and the different grades. No one was a poor loser and no one was an arrogant winner. Everyone spent the day supporting one another and they all went back to school happy, hot and tired.

My dad used to teach the 5^th grade and every spring there was a softball game between the 5^th and 6^th grades.  To this day these now grown men and women remember the competition and the laughter and the healthy rivalry they all shared.  And guess what? It didn’t mess them up or lead to struggles as they grew up. Where did that idea ever come from?

This “everyone is a winner” mentality is becoming so common and it makes me wonder how anyone can grow up without learning how to do their best. 

It sure won't help someone later on in life when they try to find a job.  A company isn't going to pass around jobs like trophies. Later on, if they are lucky enough to get hired, the playing field will shift and they will find to their shock that not everyone will get promoted. 

Are they going to call their mom and have her call the boss to complain?

When I was a kid I wasn't the best athlete in my grade but I wasn't the worst either. I can still remember when we'd pick sides for gym or recess and l, like all kids, would pray that I'd be picked sooner rather than later. The difference between then and now is that back then it was that uneasy feeling that put a fire in my belly to do better. I'd go home after school and practice harder and do better.   

Now, if everyone is a winner, why even practice?

The note from the elementary school in Michigan said that, “the real reward will be the enjoyment and good feeling of participation.” Really? Try telling that to the person who misses out on the promotion. What if management said that there would be a flat annual increase of 1.5% for every employee?   

Would there ever be any incentive to work harder? 

Teaching kids about competition as early as elementary school helps them develop a stronger sense of self and what they can and can’t do and what they want and don’t want.  Sure it might hurt their feelings but like my dad used to say,

"The harder the hammering the stronger the steel."