My late father said it often — not as a judgment, but as a challenge — “Do not compete with ‘losers’.

Choose your competitors wisely.” A call to aim higher, think deeper, and hold yourself to a standard no one else can set for you. Not just from the perspective of reputation, but because the people around you shape your thinking, your energy and your standards.

It wasn’t about arrogance. It was about aspiration; the courage to hold yourself to a higher standard in character, discipline, and ambition.

Today, I find myself reflecting on what that means for leaders and organizations today. What does it look like to raise the bar, not just in performance, but in principle?

When we founded MarchFifteen, our focus was never on outpacing competitors. Instead, we aimed to build meaningful impact through authenticity, deep client relationships, and a sense of purpose that transcends quarterly results. Over time, I’ve come to see that the same mindset applies to leadership more broadly: relevance over noise, substance over show, and long-term impact over short-term wins.

If you’re leading through change, or helping others grow through it, perhaps this idea of choosing your competitors wisely can serve as a compass.

1. Compete with the Best Version of You

It’s easy to compare. But real growth doesn’t come from measuring up to others, it comes from raising your own bar.

Comparison is a thief. Discipline is a mirror.
Ask yourself: What does the best version of our culture, our leadership, our people look like?

What kind of mirror do you look in? Does it tell you the truth? It takes courage to define success on your own terms, and discipline to pursue it. Honest self-reflection builds resilience and humility, two traits that separate competent leaders from great ones.

2. Be Stubborn About Values and Principles

In politics, values are printed on pamphlets. In business, they’re framed on walls. But in real life, values only matter when they guide action, especially when it’s inconvenient. Stand your ground.

The “how” matters.

The way you make decisions, lead, treat people, and navigate uncertainty reveals your organization’s character.

As my colleague Dr. Carl Robinson once said:

“Employees’ favourite pastime is catching leadership in their contradictions.”

Culture isn’t what you preach, it’s what people catch you doing when no one’s watching. Because when words and actions don’t align, cynicism spreads, and culture erodes. Protect your values. Even when it’s hard.

3. Stay in Your Sweet Spot

Jim Collins’ Hedgehog Concept remains a clear framework for sustained excellence. It asks:

  • What can you be the best in the world at?
  • What drives your economic engine?
  • What are you most passionate about?

Where these three overlap is your sweet spot. Stick to it, and you build something great, not just good.

4. Stay Hyper-Relevant

Clinging to past wins is the fastest path to becoming obsolete. Relevance is never static. The future of work demands curiosity, empathy, and adaptability.

Leaders who listen deeply and adapt boldly will outlast those clinging to what worked yesterday. Sometimes, that means letting go of past successes, services, systems, or even stories that no longer serve your mission.

Let your ego rest. Listen deeply. Adapt.

5. Set Fewer, More Meaningful Goals

We often mistake activity for progress. Endless to-do lists, dozens of priorities, an ever-present sense of urgency, but very little fulfillment. The most effective leaders set fewer goals but pursue them with clarity and intention.

As Simon Sinek reminds us, Start with Why. Lead with purpose, communicate that purpose clearly, and you’ll align minds and hearts alike.

In Closing

“Choose your competitors wisely.”

It’s not about judgment. It’s about direction.