Winning leaders refuse to accept defeat.
The leader persistently looks for a way for the shared cause to succeed – on a team, in a project or across the whole organization. Their mindset: I am responsible. I have to find a way. Giving up is not an option – but neither is clinging to the wrong path.
The law in detail
Four steps through the law: understand, check, connect, apply. Open any topic to read more.
The core messageWhat the law says – and what it doesn’t
You find a way for all of you to win together instead of resigning yourself to defeat. That takes a shared goal, different strengths and everyone’s full commitment.
- It does not say
- That you may never give up. Ending a lost project can be the very path by which you win in the end.
- That you force victory on your own. Success comes when everyone works for the team and not for their own advantage.
- Strictly speaking
- What is well supported is that belief in your own effectiveness strengthens effort and persistence. Perseverance as a trait of its own, however, adds little beyond conscientiousness.
- Taken literally, the core statement is too strong: if you never accept defeat, you easily cling to lost projects and waste energy. What you should reject is giving up out of convenience, not every ending.
- Applies to
- Every shared task: the project at a company, renovating the church hall, the season at a sports club and a difficult phase in the family.
The explanationThis law rests on three components.
This law rests on three components. Unity of vision: everyone involved commits to the shared goal, not to personal gain.
Diversity of specialty: a team needs a variety of strengths. And unity of commitment: everyone works together toward success.
The signs3 signs the law is at work · 3 that it is missing
- When a plan fails, you immediately look for another way to the goal together with those involved.
- You make sure that people with different strengths come together and complement each other.
- You honestly check whether a project can still be saved, and you end it when it no longer serves the goal – even if it was your own.
- At the first setbacks, you declare the goal unreachable and drop it.
- Individuals or entire departments pursue their own goals instead of the shared one, and you let it slide.
- You cling to a failed project because giving up feels like a personal defeat.
The research4 sources · 1977–2017 · with the limits of the research
- low
- moderate
- high
Moderate – Self-efficacy, perseverance (grit).
- 1977Albert Bandura
Self-efficacy determines effort and persistence in the face of obstacles.
- 2007Angela L. Duckworth et al.
Grit predicts success in several samples.
- 2017Marcus Credé, Michael C. Tynan & Peter D. Harms
Grit overlaps strongly with conscientiousness and explains performance only weakly.
Self-efficacy is well supported. Grit adds little beyond conscientiousness. Persistence can turn into clinging to lost causes (escalation of commitment).
The originJohn C. Maxwell · “The Law of Victory”
- 1998OriginJohn C. Maxwell
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Law 15
- The Law of VictoryIn essence: Leaders find a way for their team to win.
- todayWEGVISOR: The Law of Victory
The WEGVISOR version, “the Law of Victory”, puts this in the core statement “Winning leaders refuse to accept defeat.” Research supports self-efficacy and persistence, but also shows that rigid persistence can turn into clinging to lost projects.
The related laws and qualitiesQ03 Commitment · L16 Big Mo · Q19 Servanthood
Commitment keeps you and your team engaged when things get hard. Without it, the will to win remains lip service.
Every small win creates momentum for the next one. The Big Mo helps you achieve success not just once but for the long haul.
The victory belongs to the team, not to you. If you serve, you fight for everyone’s success instead of your own glory.
The action points5 stages of growth – from first awareness to passing it on
- Become aware This week, when you hit a setback, notice your first thought: are you looking for an explanation of why it can’t be done, or for a way?
- Lay the foundations If an obstacle comes up this week, tell yourself “I have to find a way” and take a first step that same day.
- Make it a habit Bring the biggest obstacle on the way to the goal into every team or project meeting, and agree together who will work on it, with which strength and by when.
- Deepen deliberately At the next serious setback, openly take responsibility in front of those involved for what you are accountable for, and afterwards ask someone you trust whether you spread confidence or pressure.
- Pass it on Enable others to come through setbacks: walk a colleague, a project team or – if you lead leaders – your leaders through a difficult project, and afterwards review together how you kept unity and commitment alive.
The reflection questions5 questions for you or a conversation with others
- Where have I resigned myself to defeat too quickly?
- Which project am I holding on to, even though, honestly, I should end it?
- Do all those involved know the shared goal and their contribution to it – even across team and department lines?
- Which strengths are we missing in order to win, and who could bring them in?
- How do I tell perseverance from stubbornness in myself?
Take your time with one question. Write down your answer – or talk it over with someone you trust.
The picture to rememberThe team forms a spearhead and breaks through the wall standing in its way.
- The team forms a spearhead and breaks through the wall standing in its way.
What the Law of Victory looks like in practice
College kids versus the unbeatable Soviets
For the 1980 Olympics, Herb Brooks turned inexperienced college players into a team that put the group above personal glory. With brutal training and new tactics, the underdogs beat the seemingly invincible Soviet team.
When Microsoft handed Apple $150 million
In 1997 Apple was close to bankruptcy. Steve Jobs, just back at Apple, turned to its biggest competitor, Microsoft: $150 million plus Office for the Mac – the launchpad for the iMac, the iPod and a legendary comeback.
Clear message, clear focus: the 2016 campaign
In 2016 Donald Trump faced opposition from the media, political circles and even his own party. His campaign relied on a simple message, direct communication via Twitter and a focus on swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.
