Winning, Losing and Controversy

Growing up, one of the things I enjoyed was playing games.  I especially like games played with cards or, dominoes.  I think games are important for youngsters as part of preparation for life.  In the adult world of tactics and strategy -- especially in business -- there is a strong similarity to playing games.

One of the things necessary in a game that is not strictly one of chance, is to not reveal your cards or, dominoes to your opponent.  Simultaneously, you are attempting to discern what cards, or dominoes your opponent is holding based on the way they play.  Knowledge of the strength and weaknesses of your opponents hand is often the difference between winning and losing.

Games of strategy and tactics are often most played by those who do not excel at games of physical prowess.  Rarely do you see exceptional athletes who are great at chess and just as rarely are great chess players good athletes.  In athletics, physical talent, strength and quickness are requisite for winning although positions of leadership -- such as quarterback in American football -- often require strong intellectual faculties as well as athletic ability.

Our military is filled with individuals whose strengths were in the physical endeavors of sports as youth.  Business is filled with those who were strong at less physical games such as cards.  There are exceptions to both, of course, but it seems that our proclivity to games is a natural inclination to participate in activities that prepare us for broader pursuits in the realm of adulthood.

Winning and losing are a part of playing games.  How one responds to both occurrences is important.  Attitude is extremely important in every endeavor.  Winning with grace affects relationships and therefore the outcome of future events.  Overcoming loss with the will to "try again" is required to continue on the path of improvement.

Sometimes events conspire to rob one of a win, or at other times, to steal the joy of the win.  The controversial call in yesterday's running of the Kentucky Derby will be discussed for many years.  The question of whether the interference was deliberate or, inadvertent will be the subject of conversation for days of those who were highly interested in the race.

I have to admit that I didn't watch the race, but the interference call makes it interesting to me.  There have been a number of calls in the last year or, so that affected the outcome of sporting events.  They include a couple of football games, a tennis match and I don't recall what else, but I'm certain there were more.

Any time human judgment comes into determining the outcome, there will be controversy.  Sometimes it is honest mistake and at others there may be something less honorable involved.  Either way, each interested person will respond with approbation or, condemnation or, perhaps in rare instance, neutrality.  When the stakes are high, neutrality is unlikely.

I suspect, in the case of yesterday's race, the best athlete was disqualified.  We will never know.