Some individuals serving in positions of leadership, seem to feel, a leader must never compromise, while others appear ready to do so, without hesitation! After four decades of identifying, qualifying, developing, training and consulting, to over a thousand real and/ or potential leaders, I've come to believe that this concept, is often one of the most challenging to grasp, understand, and come to terms with! It is, indeed, necessary, for anyone wanting to be a successful leader, to understand when COMPROMISE is appropriate, and called for, and when it is merely a form of copping out, and taking a somewhat expedient, unprincipled course. How can someone come to a meeting of the minds, for the common good, seeking alternatives, etc, while maintaining one's commitment to maintain his absolute integrity, and still effectively listen to others, so as to achieve priorities and objectives, while still comforting and reassuring others?
1. Cooperate; create; correct: How do you determine, for a certainty, that your approach is the correct one, or the best alternative? Isn't there a possibility, most of the major objectives, goals, priorities and concerns, can be addressed in some sort of alternative strategy? Are you willing to focus on cooperative solutions and approaches, rather than adversarial ones? There is often a fine line between doing the right thing and sticking to one's principles, and coming to a compromise, in order to be pragmatic, and get something, of significance, done! Leading should be about creating something which serves the group and stakeholders, and not about My way or the highway!
2. Options: Are you certain there is no other option/ alternative, which might achieve most of the goals and objectives you seek? Isn't it better to compromise, from strength and logic, so that your idealism, is combined with being practical and achievable, by utilizing the proper degree of pragmatism?
3. Meanings: What is the central theme, or meaning, of your idea or plan? How will you articulate it, so that others, will buy into your vision, and adopt it (or, at least most of it), as their own?
4. Priorities; plans: Focus on the priorities, rather than merely rigidly adhering to your plan (known as Plan A)! Examine alternatives, in relation, to what you want to achieve and accomplish!
5. Relevant; rational; rationale; relate: Why might it be that others have difficulties accepting your approach? How can you help them to better relate to it, and feel it's both relevant and rational? Will you clearly explain and articulate your rationale?
6. Opportunities; opinions: Often, the major, defining difference between a great leader, and a wannabe, is understanding the need to prepare for opportunities, as well as create his own! Facts and opinions often vary, and a real leader must be ready, willing and able to distinguish between them!
7. Musts; methods: In every plan, leaders should differentiate between the musts and the wants! He must be willing to use the best methods available, and to evolve, as well as adapt, if necessary and called for.
8. Ideas; ideology; integrity; improve: Get to the crux of the matter, and don't sweat the petty stuff! Articulate your central ideas and ideology, maintain absolute integrity, and focus on improving!
9. Strength; sustainable system: A great leader becomes stronger by strengthening everyone around him! View everything in terms of the present needs, as well as intermediate and long - term sustainability!
10. Examine; evolve: Examine as many relevant factors and alternatives as possible, so you might tweak your plan, and create a meeting of the minds. When one compromises to achieve, without sacrificing the mission and purpose, he has properly done so! To compromise merely to get along, is not leadership! Evolve and understand that while it's nice to be idealistic, unless you achieve, it is merely symbolic! There is a time for pragmatic idealism!
The famous song tells us there is a time to hold them, and to fold them! Maintain absolute integrity, but know when, and how to COMPROMISE effectively!
Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website: http://plan2lead.net and LIKE the Facebook page for leadership planning: http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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