There’s a business mindset that’s been around for decades—the “win at all costs” mentality. It’s everywhere, from tech leaders prioritizing dominance over collaboration, to executives bending the rules to hit their numbers, to companies sacrificing transparency and long-term sustainability just to win in the short term. 

You might be thinking, “Why not? Everyone else is doing it!” And many companies are, sometimes profiting in the short term. But before going that route, let’s take a closer look at how this mentality – what I call “business as war”–plays out.

From “Win at All Costs” to Trouble

In 2018, when I was doing research for my book The Amare Wave: Uplift Your Business by Putting Love to Work, the headlines were full of corporate scandals; companies like Facebook, Theranos, and Wells Fargo were caught up in greed, deception, and fraud. It was business as war, driven by a desire to be number one, to win at all costs. 

Fast forward a year, and it was Boeing and Purdue Pharma making headlines for misleading customers, and even causing life-altering harm to people—all in the name of profit. 

This is what business as war looks like. It’s a mentality that justifies bad behavior for the sake of gaining an edge. It’s where greed, fear, and deception reign supreme. And it’s a mindset that many leaders are rejecting to embrace love-powered leadership.

And the pattern continues today, as big tech, finance, and healthcare companies are under fire for allegedly withholding critical internal documents and prioritizing profits over accountability, all in the name of “winning at all costs.” 

Ask yourself:

• Do you want “winning at all costs” to be your functioning mantra?

• When faced with a tough decision, do you ever find yourself compromising on your values for the sake of “winning”?

• How can you ensure that integrity becomes your compass, even when the pressure to “win” is at its highest?

The Cost of “Win at All Costs” 

The cost of these practices to companies, society, and customers is staggering. For companies, the immediate financial hit from fines, settlements, and legal costs can run into billions of dollars. Then there’s the long-term damage to their reputation, which erodes customer trust and brand loyalty. 

For society, the damage is even more profound. When companies prioritize profits over integrity, the public pays the biggest price. Think: the devastating loss of life caused by Boeing’s 737 MAX crashes, the opioid crisis fueled by Purdue Pharma’s deceptive practices, and data breaches like those caused by Equifax’s greed and negligence. 

In the end, “win at all costs” might get you a quick victory, but it’s a terrible long-term strategy, not just dangerous for the companies involved, but for the business world as a whole.

Switching It Up: The Power of Integrity in Leadership

Imagine approaching your business from the opposite mindset. What might be possible if, instead of “winning at all costs,” you operated from a foundation of love, authenticity, and integrity? 

History shows that businesses can absolutely thrive with integrity. The key is to focus on purpose-driven work and align your organization’s efforts with both short-term results and long-term sustainability. Some powerful examples:

1. Patagonia, where staying true to their environmental values has not only built a loyal customer base but also helped them become a market leader—integrity pays off.

2. Salesforce, where their focus on transparency and inclusivity has made them not just successful, but a deeply trusted name in the tech industry.

3. Zappos, where their commitment to customer service over pure efficiency has earned them a loyal following and stellar sales. Integrity, not shortcuts, is the secret to their success.

Leading with integrity isn’t about being naïve or turning a blind eye to competition. It’s about making the decision to be authentic, transparent, and true to your values, no matter the external pressure. 

Yes, it can be harder at first. The good news is that it builds the kind of company culture that people want to work for, invest in, and engage with. 

6 Amare Action Steps for Leading with Integrity

1. Tell yourself the truth. Get really honest and list your top three actual priorities, in order. Then assess how aligned your decisions and actions are with those priorities.

2. Make decisions based on your values. Every time you face a tough decision, ask yourself, “What aligns with my core values?” (If you’re not sure what your core values are, hire an executive coach to help!).

3. Commit to transparency. When you hit a roadblock or make a mistake, be honest with your team about it. Don’t hide challenges or pretend everything’s fine.

4. Invest in long-term sustainability. Focus on making decisions that benefit your company’s long-term future, even when it means making tough choices in the short term.

5. Respect your competition. Recognize that your competition can bring out the best in you and your organization. Rather than trying to crush them, show them respect.

6. Prioritize relationships. For every decision, ask yourself how it will impact the relationships you value. And be really clear about which relationships are most important to you.

Integrity Wins the Long Game

Integrity might not always be the easy choice, but it’s always the right one. While the business world may often be defined by short-term gains and cutthroat competition, choosing love, authenticity, and integrity is what builds sustainable, thriving companies. When you lead with integrity, your organization’s success isn’t just a flash in the pan—it’s a long-term commitment to doing business the right way.

So, the next time you’re faced with a tough decision, remember this: winning at all costs isn’t the only path to success. Lead with love and integrity, and watch your company thrive long-term, not just in profits, but in trust, loyalty, and purpose. Isn’t that the legacy you want?

You got this,

Moshe

Flourish as a Leader with the “Strong Start” Coaching Program

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Today’s Amare Wave Wednesday Quote

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” 

— C.S. Lewis, author of the Narnia series

Click here and read more Amare Wave Wednesday newsletters on related topics:

The Path to Great Leadership Starts Here: Four Steps to Being True to Your Nature

Stand by Your Values—How to Meet Today’s Chaos with Clarity

Finding Your Courage: 5 Steps to Lead with Your Lion’s Roar

No Secrets: How Transparency Empowers Highly Successful Leadership

Five Ways to Flourish in Business and Life

Original article published on Inc.com.