Fighting Tooth and Nail

Posted on October 7th, 2009 by Spike and currently 2 commenting.

The “Great Reset,” has Robbin has previously posted about, has done a lot of things to our world, our country, our cities and our lives. It’s had an effect on all of us. In every industry. And, of course, you and I here in the marketing world have felt the earth-shattering effects as well. No doubt the vast majority of us have had to make compromises and sacrifices.

But I’d like to use this post as a reminder that you don’t have to sell out. As tempting as it might be right now, you don’t have to compromise what you believe in. You don’t have to give in just because you see a way out. I’m pretty sure that your company wasn’t founded on selling out. That your best work wasn’t because you gave in. But instead, those triumphs happened because you fought. Because you said, “no, I refuse.” Because you stood up for what you believed in and fought tooth and nail.

I’m here to tell you that the companies that come out strongest from this thing we’re starting to see the end of are the ones that didn’t compromise. They didn’t roll over and take that account even though they didn’t believe in it. They refused to be bullied because times were tough and they needed the cash. They got mad. They fought. And they are better for it.

You don’t have to sacrifice what you believe in. In the end, it’s all we have. And when you lose what you stand for, then you become just another company in a sea of yes men. Does it hurt sometimes? Will you suffer for it? Yep. But it’s that one thing that you can hold on to that binds you and those you work with together everyday. It’s the difference between a job you tolerate and a job you love. And I promise you that one day it will pay off for you in a lot more ways than just money (but, yes, money, too).

No great movements started or ever accepted compromise. That fought tooth and nail for every inch and every victory, because that’s not only what they had to do, it’s what they believed in as well.

Rant over.