Playing the game

Have you ever felt like success demands a compromise?
That to win in business, you have to play the game?

→ Cheesy marketing.
→ Political maneuvering.
→ Messages that feel anything but you.

It’s frustrating because that game feels wrong.

Yet, it also feels necessary.
After all, it’s how successful players play.
It is what works, isn’t it?

Well, kind of.
But then again: Not really.

Because most of the time …

The game doesn’t work because people are easily persuaded. It works (when it works) because no one has offered something better.

People don’t want to be persuaded.
They want to be understood.

It works because no one has taken the time to truly pay attention, listen carefully, and find the common ground.

Games are necessary when you feel you need to “turn them over”.

They are unnecessary when you align.

That’s why the best leaders don’t succeed through politics and playing games. They succeed thanks to clarity and empathy.

Keep lighting the path!

Check out my new book
The PATH to Strategic Impact

Get The Art of Communicating in your inbox.
Short and actionable posts on how to find words that drive action.

I value your privacy. No spam. Just “Great stuff, brilliantly articulated” (to use the words of longtime reader David).

Read More

Trust, quite simply

Trust isn’t built through what you say.It’s built through how deeply you mean it. Sometimes it’s really that simple.

Read »

If they knew what you know …

Would they buy your product?Would they follow your recommendation?Would they feel valued by your offer?Would they approve of the way you achieve the goal?Would they

Read »