I don’t cheat, I’d rather lose

This article is inspired by watching a video about Serena Williams’ final match at the US Open against Naomi Osaka for what would have been her 24th Grandslam title in 2018, which she regrettably lost. When the umpire accused Serena of cheating by following her coach’s instructions during the match, Serena responded emphatically, “I don’t cheat, I’d rather lose”. 

Serena’s statement struck me and I started to think, how many people can confidently affirm their commitment to doing the right thing when everything they have fought for is at stake?  Where everything they have done and fought for is slipping off their fingers, and there is an opportunity for them to cheat their way out. How many people can genuinely say, “I don’t cheat to win. I’d rather lose.” How many of us are ready to lose rather than cheating to win?

Imagine a world where people don’t look for shortcuts. or cheat to win. Well, maybe it’s an illusion, perhaps the world was not designed that way, and maybe that world will never exist. But for a second, let’s even imagine a Nigeria where nobody cheats, or a larger percentage are intentional about doing the right thing and would defend this value with their lives.

Again, let’s imagine what that would have done for Nigeria, our reputation, as a people, as an economy.

What exactly does it mean to cheat? Generally, actions that intentionally mislead or deceive others in order to benefit or gain an advantage. It is a practice that is typically disapproved of in all spheres of life, including work, play, and interpersonal relationships. For instance, cheating can take many different forms at the Lagos Business School (LBS), including plagiarism and other exam irregularities. Cheating can have detrimental effects on both the cheater and society as a whole.

A few of these effects are listed below.

1. Cheating is dishonest and can seriously harm one’s reputation and credibility and erode the respect that people have for you. For instance, in the context of LBS, students who cheat would face suspension or expulsion. Nobody wants to be remember for cheating.
2. It is very unfair to cheat. There have been instances of professional athletes using doping or cheating to win competitions at the Olympics. I personally believe that the fact that some of them were later discovered and their medals recovered is not enough of a consequence. They shared the spotlight, basked in the glory of victory amid adoring crowds, and received numerous endorsements all at the expense of rivals who played fairly. Consider the extent of the harm this would have done to the legitimate winners.
3. Cheating can make you feel guilty, suspicious, and uneasy. To avoid being exposed, cheaters frequently need to cover their tracks. This can be extremely stressful and can result in blackmail or extortion from people who are aware of the offense. It can be very stressful to constantly have to look behind your back and hide your tracks.

The decision not to cheat ultimately comes down to a matter of personal integrity. Building trust, creating lasting relationships, and succeeding in your endeavors all depend on you always acting honestly and fairly. It shows that you are ready to accept responsibility for your decisions and take responsibility for your actions, which is a sign of maturity and responsibility.

In conclusion, can we really have a world void of cheating?

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