Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Written by Anne Walter

I’m sure at some point most of us have heard someone say, “Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.”  A friend of mine said it recently and after a quick laugh, I wondered aloud where that phrase originated from.  I was appointed by my group of friends to find the answer, so I decided a quick search on Google, (thank you, Google!)..was in order.  The most common definition was…"A chicken dinner in Las Vegas used to cost less than $2.00 and the usual bet at that time was $2.00, so when you won, you had enough for the chicken dinner.”  Hence, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner!"  I nodded to myself thinking, now this truly is a “win-win” situation!

“Win-win” solutions are often utilized in business settings for the satisfaction of both parties.  I wondered how often our mindset is focused on this mentality in our interpersonal relationships as well.  When it comes to dealing with difficult circumstances, are we individually focused, or do we opt for the “win-win” mindset where both parties achieve their objectives for a positive outcome?

In some situations, a “win-win” means we might have to take a step back to move two steps forward.  I’ve experienced this professionally and found that it allowed me to ultimately move forward toward my long-term goal.

Incorporating a “win-win” mindset is a crucial component for success, which is not defined by how many wins or victories I’ve had but how often a “win-win” mindset was interwoven into the situation.

“Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner” is not just about casinos or Costco’s delicious chickens, but a reminder that a “win-win” approach is achievable, where everyone walks away a “winner.”