Compromise is important. To work with a team or within a company requires compromise. In fact, that is why our culture at MC Companies is so highly rated. Ross and I are willing to work with our employees to get things done. Even in my personal life with my wife and kids, I am constantly compromising to create homeostasis around the home.
However, we should never forget what the word compromise means. The definition of compromise is the settlement of a dispute that is reached by two sides making concessions. I bring up the definition because so often in our society today we are being asked to do things that aren’t a comprise. It isn’t two sides coming to an agreement. It is one side telling the other what to do.
There comes a point where you shouldn’t compromise. You should never compromise your core beliefs or what matters most to you. When you start to compromise on your core beliefs, you begin to erode the foundations of who you are as a person. Only make compromises that align with your values. Those that move you closer to your goals and bring you and the people around you together.
So How Do You Know Where to Draw the Line?
Determine values that are important to you, and hold the line on those things. Explain your position, and stand up for what you believe in. The rule I live by is “Compromise where you can, and where you can’t, don’t.” At the end of the day, you are the one who has to live with the decisions you make, so make sure anything you decide to compromise on aligns with who you are. I don’t know who needed to hear this today, but hopefully it was helpful.