is Winning more important than leading?
Two newsletters ago, I discussed the importance of compromise. Compromise is one of the four C’s of leadership I frequently reference in my work. At the time, my intent was to highlight one of the four C’s periodically in future newsletters.
I’ve since changed my mind.
I believe it better serves readers to address all four C’s at once—largely because of the leadership environment we are all watching unfold around us.
The four C’s of leadership I believe in are Commitment, Communication, Collaboration, and Compromise. These concepts are simple to understand, but far more difficult to apply consistently. Yet when leaders do apply them—intentionally and together—it’s remarkable what organizations can accomplish.
Over the past two decades, our federal government has provided a very visible example of what happens when these principles are ignored. Regardless of which party is in office or holds the majority, progress too often stalls while conflict thrives. Opposing “the other side” becomes the objective, rather than solving problems or advancing the greater good.
We don’t have to look very hard to see what isn’t happening:
There is little commitment to outcomes that genuinely serve the taxpayer, citizen, or customer.
There is minimal communication beyond posturing and opposition.
There is no meaningful collaboration, because each side is focused on winning rather than advancing solutions.
And there is clearly no compromise—even when compromise would move things forward.
So what’s my point—other than an obvious moment of frustration?
It’s this: leadership failures don’t stay small—they scale.
When leaders abandon commitment, communication, collaboration, and compromise, paralysis follows. If we ran our organizations and businesses the same way this example often plays out, most of us would fail—financially, operationally, or culturally. Customers would leave. Employees would disengage. Trust would erode.
Sometimes we learn more from bad examples than we do from good ones. This is one of those moments.
The lesson for leaders is clear.
Do not allow polarization, ego, or the need to “win the argument” to replace your responsibility to lead. Understand the four C’s of leadership. Practice them intentionally. And hold yourself accountable for applying all four—not just the ones that are convenient.
This post is adapted from a recent edition of my newsletter, The Boss Up! Brief, where I share practical, no-nonsense insights for supervisors, managers, and leaders.
