Winning at All Costs: A Leadership Dilemma

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll know that Donald Trump won the US election (unexpectedly if the polls were to be believed ??) by a landslide.

As the dust settles on that victory, one thing is clear to me: his leadership approach has always been about achieving results, whatever it takes.

For some, this relentless drive is inspiring as it promotes a model of 'getting sh*t done.'

For others, it raises uncomfortable questions: Is winning at all costs truly leadership? Or is it something else entirely?

This isn’t just a political discussion; it’s a leadership debate that applies to all areas of life, including business.

In my opinion, the question of whether the ends justify the means is as relevant in the boardroom as it is on the political campaign trail.

So I decided to use the newsletter to explore this leadership dilemma.

Leadership in Action: Business Examples

In both politics and business, there are plenty of examples of leaders grappling with the tension between achieving results and staying true to their values. Below are a few cases from the business world that illustrate the costs and rewards of different leadership approaches. These stories reveal what happens when leaders prioritise short-term wins over sustainable, value-driven success and I then try to analyse what, if anything, we can learn from them.

1. Volkswagen Emissions Scandal (The Cost of 'Winning'): Volkswagen was determined to dominate the automotive market by producing 'clean diesel' vehicles that performed well in emissions tests. But the company resorted to installing software that manipulated results, ultimately leading to one of the biggest corporate scandals in history. While they achieved short-term wins in market share and profits, the fallout—including lawsuits, fines, and a tarnished reputation—underscored the dangers of prioritising results over integrity.

??Financial Impact: Volkswagen faced over $33 billion in fines, settlements, and recall costs, a stark reminder of the financial consequences of unethical leadership.

Leadership Insight: True leaders balance delivery with values. Short-term wins achieved through unethical means can destroy long-term success. I

2. Elon Musk and Twitter/X (Relentless Drive or Recklessness?): Elon Musk’s leadership of Twitter (now X) has been marked by decisive actions to cut costs and streamline operations, such as mass layoffs and controversial platform changes. While some see this as bold leadership focused on long-term profitability, others criticise the approach as reckless, leading to diminished trust from employees, advertisers, and users.

??Financial Impact: While cost-cutting measures have reduced short-term expenses, the platform’s ad revenue reportedly dropped by 50% within a year, showing how alienating stakeholders can have a significant financial downside. (Last time I checked it had dropped again for the year to date in '24).

Leadership Insight: Winning isn’t just about results—it’s about how you achieve them. The best leaders inspire trust while delivering outcomes.

3. Patagonia (Leading with Values): In stark contrast, Patagonia’s leadership prioritises its values, often putting environmental and social impact above profits. Founder Yvon Chouinard’s decision to transfer ownership of the company to a trust dedicated to fighting climate change is a powerful example of leading with purpose. While they could have focused on maximising shareholder returns, Patagonia’s leadership chose to align its actions with its stated mission, earning immense loyalty and trust.

??Financial Impact: Patagonia’s commitment to its values has resulted in a loyal customer base and revenue growth, reaching over $1 billion annually, proving that morality-driven leadership can also be profitable.

Leadership Insight: When leaders stay true to their values, they build trust and create sustainable, long-term success.

4. Ben & Jerry’s (Balancing Purpose with Performance): Ben & Jerry’s, the iconic ice cream brand, has built its business on a foundation of social and environmental responsibility. From supporting fair trade suppliers to campaigning for climate action, the company has consistently prioritized its values. While these initiatives often come with higher costs, they’ve also strengthened the brand’s reputation and customer loyalty, leading to sustained revenue growth.

??Financial Impact: In 2023, the brand generated $951 million in revenue, in the United States, solidifying its position as the leading ice cream brand in the country.

Leadership Insight: Ben & Jerry’s shows that companies can achieve both financial success and a positive social impact by staying true to their values. In a competitive market, they stand out not just for their ice cream but for their activism and purpose-driven campaigns

So what do these above examples tell us....

Lessons from Leadership in Politics and Business

The Trump Approach: Trump's win-by-any-means strategy resonates with those who value results above all else. But does it erode the trust and cooperation necessary for sustainable leadership?

Time will tell!

But when we look at the business parallels: From Volkswagen to Musk, we see that relentless pursuit of outcomes can alienate stakeholders and lead to long-term fallout.

Whilst on the flip side, companies like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s show us that morality and delivery don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

The Big Question for Leaders

As a leader, you will face moments where the pressure to deliver tempts you to cut corners or compromise your values.

In my view, the challenge is to resist the allure of short-term wins and focus on building a legacy of trust, integrity, and sustainable results. Not just because (in my opinion), it's the right thing to do, but because it delivers financial results in the long run, as well.

So ask yourself: Is your leadership defined by what you achieve—or by how you achieve it?

Over to you????:

Do you believe that 'winning at all costs' is ever justified in leadership,

OR?

do the means always matter more?

Share your thoughts in the comments????!

Please contact me if there are any specific topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes or indeed if you'd like to contribute to the newsletter????

References

1. Volkswagen Emissions Scandal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal

2. Elon Musk and Twitter/X: https://www.ft.com/content/1f00b517-1dac-42b9-9373-79f82f0cb836

3. Patagonia's Ethical Leadership: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-15/patagonia-gives-company-to-climate-change/101445138

4. Ben & Jerry's Social Responsibility: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_%26_Jerry%27s