Here are 3 reasons why leaders – political as well as corporate – should stop talking about themselves and others as players in a game.
All eyes are on Russian President Vladimir Putin at the moment. But what does Putin see when he looks at the world?
Two weeks ago, U.S. President Donald Trump said to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he didn’t have ‘the cards’. This week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ‘the ball’ is in Russia’s court. And when Western media write about the 30-day cease-fire proposal from the United States and Ukraine, they speculate that Putin is likely to ‘play’ for more time.
But what happens when we talk about strategically high-tension situations like a game? And why did Zelensky insist on talking about the war differently when he met with Trump at the White House, saying, «I’m not playing cards. I’m very serious, Mr. President. I’m very serious»?
Here are 3 reasons why leaders – political as well as corporate – should stop talking about themselves and others as players in a game.Putin Doesn’t Like To Lose – Neither Does Anyone Else
Telling Putin that the ball is in Russia’s court is the same as saying it’s his turn to take a shot. But that’s not what anyone wants. On the contrary, the whole idea of a temporary ceasefire is for everyone to stop shooting.
The war must be put on hold so that the parties can talk to each other without fear of losing ground. But talking about balls instead of bullets does not eliminate the fear of losing. Rather, it sends a clear message that there will be winners and losers. And that the next shot is crucial to who becomes what.
Only Putin knows what he sees when he looks at the world.
