Over the past few years, I've noticed an increase in zero-sum thinking. Many people have come to believe that no one succeeds unless another person fails. This seems logical at a glance, but when you look deeper, it becomes clear that it is a fallacy. Two plus two does not equal zero.

There can be no value creation if zero-sum thinking is the guiding principle. With that mindset, every activity, including collaboration, is a competition: one person or side will benefit while the other side loses. But this is not how things work in academics, research, or healthcare.

Value Multiplies

Here at UCSF, for example, learners come to us to gain knowledge. The instructors who teach them help build the next generation of dentists, doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, and they are not diminished when they share what they know. When two researchers integrate their individual work on a project, one person's contribution is not erased from the successful result. In academia and health care, we believe that value multiplies when we work together. It's the foundation of all that we do.

Still, this way of thinking, which some call an abundance mindset, is not universal. For example, zero-sum thinking is rooted in a scarcity mindset, which is the belief that there is a limited amount of opportunity or success. Challenging economic times, particularly during the pandemic, exacerbated this feeling in our country. It's harder for many to make ends meet, and the constant reminder of financial uncertainty makes people feel vulnerable. Some people worry that they may be missing opportunities that others have. We don't know what experiences made people fearful that someone else's success will detract from theirs, but if we take the time to understand why they believe that resources are so scarce, we might learn something along the way. Empathy can open the door to conversation between people who hold opposing viewpoints.

Listening to Bridge Divides

Empathetic listening is essential to understanding our differences, especially in polarized environments, and it plays a critical role in fostering inclusion. When we truly listen, it sends the message that every voice matters. All of us can cultivate a sense of belonging among people with a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

Leaders have a unique opportunity to shape the culture of their organizations. Empathy helps create a culture of trust, which has far-reaching effects within businesses and universities. Academic and job performance in a trust culture isn't driven by fear of failure, but by a sense of shared responsibility and a desire to make meaningful contributions. When people feel they are working to their potential, it leads to more satisfaction and higher-quality contributions. Letting people know that we have high expectations of them signals that their work matters and that we know they are capable of excellence. We can do this, not to put pressure on them, but out of respect.

More Viewpoints, More Solutions

For individuals and institutions alike, it is important to see people holistically and to tap into each individual's unique skills and gifts. I believe people thrive in an environment where they are valued for their unique experiences and attributes. The challenges we have overcome in life shape our unique perspectives. The blend of these offers a more expansive view of our collective situation and provides us with a rich variety of solutions.

There may also be some practical ways to convince people that there are alternatives to zero-sum thinking. For example, a clear way to show that collaboration is not competition is to help someone succeed. We can mentor people or invite individuals to work with us on projects that will advance their careers. Another demonstration of positive-sum mindset in action is to work together to create abundance—because that is what cooperation does. Shared effort amplifies energy and results. One person can plant a garden, but a dozen people can run a farm. By working together, we can create more of what we all need.

Welcoming everyone, not despite their differences, but because of them, is the path to creating work, education, and healthcare environments where everyone feels valued. People are happiest and achieve the most when they are seen as their authentic selves. If we make everyone on our team feel they are working at their highest level, we create value through collaboration. When we become a better and more effective team, no one loses.

Michael S. Reddy, DMD, DMSc Dean, UCSF School of Dentistry Associate Vice Chancellor, Oral Health Affairs