I think the point is a little more general than that. You "win" by convincing people to pay you - whether it's for nothing, for regular work, or for superior w

I think the point is a little more general than that. You "win" by convincing people to pay you - whether it's for nothing, for regular work, or for superior work, is immaterial. This isn't a zero-sum game, at the IC level at least. Winning doesn't mean others lose. It just means you get paid. There are many roads to victory, including empty performance.