So, you’ve built the dream team. You’ve equipped them with the right tools, created an environment where they can thrive, and shown them you care. Done and dusted, right?

Not even close.

If you want your team to trust you, buy into your vision, and give you their absolute best, they need to know one thing above all else: you will fight for them. Always.

Rule #15 – Advocate for your team, no matter the cost.

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It would be nice if life ran smoothly—no bumps, no politics, no compromises. But the truth is, we don’t live in a perfect “Lake Wobegon” world. We live in reality: a place of constant change, tight deadlines, tough trade-offs, and never enough hours in the day.

In this reality, leaders barter, negotiate, and sacrifice. That’s part of the job. But here’s the kicker: what you choose to sacrifice—and for whom—defines your leadership.

Because sometimes, what looks small to you is monumental to someone on your team.

It could be:

• The beat-up chair that eases their chronic back pain.

• Leaving early on Mondays to volunteer at a local shelter.

• Hosting the office Christmas party because it’s the closest thing they have to family.

To you, these things may look minor. To them, they’re deeply personal. Non-negotiable. Life-giving.

And then comes the test: management says everyone must switch to new furniture. A “mandatory” meeting gets scheduled at the same time as that Monday obligation. Someone else books a Christmas party for the same day.

Do you quietly let it slide—or do you stand up and advocate for your team member?

Make no mistake: your answer in that moment is leadership.

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Here’s the twist: I purposely chose examples outside the “core work” zone. Why? Because advocating for your team’s work performance is easy. They’ve proven themselves. They deliver results. Others respect their reputation. Fighting for them in those cases isn’t really risky—it’s good business.

But fighting for the “small stuff”? The personal stuff? That’s where the real test lies.

Those requests might seem irrational. They may put you at odds with higher-ups. There’s no obvious benefit to the organization. But here’s the truth: those are the requests that matter most to your people. And when you show up for them in those moments, you earn the kind of loyalty, respect, and commitment no paycheck can buy.

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I once worked with a leader who embodied this—Larry Newbanks.

Larry fought for his team. Every. Single. Time. Whether it was popular or not. Whether it helped his career or hurt it. And yes, sometimes he took a personal hit because of it.

But here’s what happened: whenever Larry asked me to do something, I gave it everything I had. No excuses. No shortcuts. Because I knew—deep in my bones—that he would always have my back.

That kind of advocacy doesn’t just inspire compliance. It inspires devotion. It transforms a team from good to unstoppable.

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Action Item #15:
Sit down with each member of your team. Ask them two simple questions:

1. What’s your biggest work goal right now?

2. What’s your biggest personal goal where you need support?

Then, commit. Do everything in your power to advocate for them—especially when it’s not easy.

Because leadership isn’t proven when things are smooth. It’s proven when you fight for your people, even when it costs you something.