Compromise is for losers.
Today’s article was inspired by a social media conversation with some Digital Games students following a shared article about the demise of a promising independent studio, who feel foul of some shady behavior by a large publishing organisation.
I’m not going to comment on that specifically, and don’t have the exact details of who was right and wrong, but it promoted some comments which lead me to this point and so, gentle reader; you might not agree with all the points below – but if they make you stop and consider, even for a moment, my work here is done.
So, what does that title mean? “Compromise is for losers” is pretty strong – it could perhaps even be accused of being click bait. In some ways that wouldn't be entirely unfair. It is a professional and personal approach that has (overall) worked for me, and something I strongly believe in.
This process isn't as straightforward as the title might imply. It is actually is contradictory to the titles in some ways and consists of a three part approach. I would encourage anyone from visionaries, leaders through creators and executors to use it and test the merits. It is a strong way to hold life to your own standards, and not the reverse. It is made up of three parts.
- Compromise first
- Analyse second
- Don’t compromise at all
Compromise First
In essence, the reason we expend so much energy as leaders, creatives or contributors is that we get stuck in the ‘small stuff’. It’s not about attention to detail; there is no question that is important. I’m talking about when we insist on unnecessary micro issues or calls which don’t really make much difference. It is the zoomed in tactical view on unimportant tactical moves when the big picture strategy thinking would benefit you far more. So in these matters, compromise first. If it won’t make much difference, make your point(s); suggest your solutions but be free to always try the other solutions, be sure to allow things to flow. Don’t get caught up on something that doesn't make a big difference. A thousand tiny paper cuts can still be a big problem, but you should be following these issues broadly to ensure they aren't going off the rails, and the way I look at it is that I will inevitably learn something from many of these issues that follow slightly different paths to those that perhaps I would have followed myself. Course correction is still possible because you don’t ‘fire and forget’ on these issues, you just don’t permit them to be blockers on progress. This will free up an immense amount of your time. This is one healthy helping of ‘choose your battles’, but it’s also something a little more. It’s about getting past things that impact on your personal happiness and productivity without any delay whatsoever. I have given many people that work for me this same piece of advice, though I’m wording it slightly different for print. It goes like this:
“Look at the issue, and consider this. If it goes the way you don’t want it to – in the grander scheme of things what difference does it truly make?”
Fortunately, the sun will still come out tomorrow (thanks Annie) and you’ll still be able to move on and do better in the future. We learn constantly from our challenges.
Analyse Second
Assuming that your issue is something larger, and that it is considerably more significant and meaningful to you, you’re not going to want to yield so easily, if at all. This is where you need to analyse the issue closely. If it is time critical you will have less time and thus less resources at your disposal, but getting data, opinions of others and frankly what amounts to a sanity check can help you to ensure your opinion has been evaluated and isn't formed out of pure stubbornness.
Don’t compromise at all
Obviously, this is the most contentious of the three, but here it goes. This approach is not without significant risk and hardship. You need to understand that, while it might earn you respect it also might not. It’s not an approach focused around making friends or popularity, and in the short term it is often acutely difficult or even painful and sometimes involves a step back to take two forwards, but with that in mind step three goes like this:
Don’t compromise on your vision, don’t compromise on your goals and don’t accept that you are less than you believe. Evolve them with feedback, refine them as you develop – but don’t compromise on them. Ever.
No one else is going to be your champion and no one will act as a greater advocate than you. Along the way, many people will tell you that no one will support you, your idea will not be successful and you cannot do the things you believe in. People will, potentially without poor intention; stifle your hopes and dreams. You cannot allow them to do this.
Do not blindly accept what you are told. Every author has hundreds of refusals from publishers; every creator in every field has experienced failure and poor performance on their off days. You can call this a refusal to accept constraints, and that’s a great value if it is approached in a healthy way. It’s more than that however. It is all about never compromising on the things that mean the most to you.
In a company that constrains your progress and cannot comprehend your vision? Move on.Unless you believe that you can evolve that situation, you may not be a good fit.
An investor doesn't 'get' your idea? Analyse their feedback. If you don’t believe this will change? Walk.Find others investors to whom it will resonate, or find another way to fund your project.
No one will publish your book? Consider self-publishing.
No one will fund your game? Crowd fund it.
Let’s face it. Not every idea will make millions, and maybe you don’t even need or want to. What I believe is that no one should look back and regret not trying. Stand strong on your ideals, and refuse to compromise on what you believe in.
Above all, don’t let anyone force you to compromise on your creativity or vision and certainly not on your integrity. Many people will tell you it won't work, it cannot be done or you will not be successful. This is about finding ways around those barriers, those constraints - to be able to prove that you could do it, and did.
Your hopes and dreams deserve to be realized, however successful (or not) they turn out to be.