Mogul Moves—Strategic Losses for Long-Term Gains
As a Mogul, winning isn't just about today’s battles—it's about positioning yourself for long-term success. The phrase "we may have lost the battle, but we haven't lost the war" is something we’ve seen in action with many of the Mogul coaching clients. Leadership isn't about fighting every small fight; it’s about knowing which battles to lose so you can win the war that matters.
In your professional journey, whether you’re leading a team or leading yourself, you’re constantly facing "battles"—gunning for promotions for yourself or others, meeting deadlines, or pushing hard to deliver results. These challenges can pile up and drain your energy. What we’ve witnessed with some of our top-performing clients is that the real leaders—Moguls—don’t try to win every battle. Instead, they strategically choose when to hold back so that they can come out on top when it matters most.
The Power of Letting Go
A true Mogul understands that not every battle needs to be won, especially when winning could cost them future leverage. We witness consistently with our Mogul clients is that their success comes not from constantly pushing back but from conserving their power and choosing their moments wisely.
Think about it. How often have you resisted a task your boss asked of you—something you didn’t agree with, didn’t understand, or just didn’t want to do? It feels like you’re defending your position, but what I’ve seen happen time and time again is that constant resistance weakens your influence. A Mogul is strategic. By selectively choosing when to engage, they gain respect and leverage for when it truly counts. This builds credibility, allowing them to push back when it’s important—and be heard.
Remember "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"? We’ve seen this play out in organizations with leaders who push back too often. When the real issues arise—the ones that could change the direction of their team or business—no one’s listening anymore. Moguls know that sometimes you need to lose the small battles to win the war. That’s when their voice carries the most weight, and that’s when they see the most success.
What Moguls Do—Applying the Strategy of Lost Battles
In leadership, strategically losing battles is a game-changer. Moguls understand that to lead a team, or even lead yourself, you need to prioritize. When we coach clients in executive roles, we help our clients understand the power of communication and long-term vision. When they focus on the bigger picture, they gain their team’s trust and loyalty.
Take the military for example, a field where I’ve worked with several leaders. They’re constantly facing orders they might not fully agree with. Yet the best leaders are those who know when to let it go and get the job done, even if it seems trivial. These Moguls know that following through on the small stuff earns them the capital to push back on the big stuff later. Whether in the military, corporate world, or running your own business, the principle is the same: communicate the value of those smaller tasks, show your team the bigger picture, and save your strength for the battles that truly matter.
How Moguls Leverage Their Power
Moguls don’t gain power for personal use—it’s always for their team or their business. They’re servant leaders at heart. When you lead others, the power you build through selectively losing battles is used to elevate your team. When your people see that you’re sacrificing for the greater good, it boosts morale, engagement, and trust. If you’re leading yourself, the power you gain from your boss or organization is meant to serve a bigger purpose—to push your organization forward. When you focus on the company’s success, you’ll naturally grow and elevate yourself along the way. Promotions, opportunities, and growth follow when you play the long game.
Final Thought
To summarize, Moguls don’t win every battle. They win the war. By learning when to let go and saving their strength for the critical moments, they unlock greater success for themselves and their teams. Leadership isn’t about controlling every outcome—it’s about positioning yourself for meaningful, strategic victories.
At Mogul Performance, we work with clients to help them use these strategies to lead to sustained success and influence. Are you approaching leadership with a Mogul mindset? How do you choose your battles? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below.
Make Your Mogul Moves
Ready to start leading like a Mogul? Follow Mogul Performance for more insights and strategies on becoming the leader your team or organization needs. Schedule a discovery session today to take the next step in your leadership journey.
