Winning at All Costs Can Cost You Everything

As leaders we’re often challenged by boards, investors, and owners to win at all costs.

How often have you heard some version of do whatever it takes to make X happen?

I know throughout my career I’ve encountered CEO’s and owners/investors that have pushed for results at all costs.

Often to the detriment of our people.

And that’s wrong.

As a leader, you are the steward of the talent in your organization above all else.

Winning in the moment means nothing if it costs you the trust of your people.

Rich Stearns, former president of World Vision, and author of Lead Like it Matters to God said it best when he said, “The values a leader embraces are more important than the successes they achieve.”

If you don’t have clarity around your values, or you allow your values to be compromised for short-term gains, to increase revenue and profits (at the expense of your character and the trust of your people), you will never achieve anything of significance.

The leaders that make the greatest impact in the world are those who are willing to stand firm in their values, even when doing so might negatively impact them personally.

What I often see, however, is that leaning into those values differentiates those leaders from the pack, and often results in out-sized growth in their organizations. When people know what you stand for it creates a sense of trust and belonging internally. And as a result, those who show up and want to be a part of what you’re doing tend to be more focused, more committed, and often deliver significant results.

Living your values as a leader helps you create raving fans both internally and externally. And at that point, the results begin to speak for themselves.