This past week my sister shared a tory with me from her childhood. She told me of a teenage boy being raised by his single mother, who had to walk everywhere because his mother had to work and use the only car. My sister wanted to help and gave the bike she had bought with her own money to the boy so that he could save time and ride to his destinations. She later learned shortly thereafter that the bike got a flat tire and instead of the boy rolling it home, he tossed it in a ditch. And that day she learned a lesson about having skin in the game. She had skin in the game, but the teenage boy did not. She also learned a valuable lesson about gift giving and the ownership of gifts.
Most if not all of you have likely heard the phrase "skin in the game" referring to a significant level of commitment to something. The conversation usually is around ensuring someone feels invested in something to the point that they will care for it and if they don't care it will cost them some "skin" usually in the form of time, effort, money, starting over, etc. Sometimes, this skin in the game comes across as an obstacle to keep some otherwise worthy people away, and while I agree we should avoid disparate, or unintended negative, impact, it is important that people understand value and commitment, especially if their ongoing engagement is beneficial to a project or partnership. Putting forth effort or something that represents work and effort, is typically a sign that there is an agreement of understanding value. Now that value may vary, but there is a basis of value.
Having skin in the game, does not ensure one will stay in the game, but it does help one consider what is at stake should they exit the game. Value propositions can appear different from varied perspectives or frames of reference. However, when one has skin in the game, they must still consciously decide if they are willing to invest more or willing to give up some or all of what they have invested.
