Non-zero-sum

Allowing all sides to benefit rather than requiring a loser.

Reach for it when describing an interaction in which combined gains need not equal combined losses

They reached a non-zero-sum agreement that improved both services.

• everyday

  win-win

  all named parties receive a clear benefit

  not when Win-win can conceal unequal or externalized costs.

• warm

  collaborative

  joint effort and shared agency deserve emphasis

  not when Collaboration does not guarantee a positive payoff.

• warm

  cooperative

  working together rather than competing is central

  not when Cooperation can still divide a fixed resource.

• professional

  positive-sum

  the interaction creates net aggregate value

  not when Positive-sum is stronger than merely not fixed-sum.

• professional

  value-creating

  new value rather than redistribution is demonstrated

  not when Value creation depends on whose value is counted.

• formal

  mutually beneficial

  each participating side gains

  not when Mutual benefit says nothing about outsiders.

• zero-sum
• winner-take-all
• mutually destructive

• non-zero-sum game

  The water agreement turned scarcity into a non-zero-sum game.

• non-zero-sum thinking

  Non-zero-sum thinking led both libraries to share storage.

• non-zero-sum relationship

  Their non-zero-sum relationship rewarded referrals in both directions.

Non-zero-sum does not mean fair; gains can be unequal and costs can be shifted to people outside the stated game.