I’ve never been a big fan of knocking the competition to prospects or customers, yet many people do it every day.

Bad mouthing others is not an effective strategy. A better strategy to beat the competition is with value and trust: Value as perceived by your customers and trust earned through the relationship you build with them.

This takes me to the recent political advertising heating up as we get closer to the mid-term election in the United States. The ads get nasty and childish.

I don’t want a leader who spends millions of advertising dollars to persuade me and my neighbors that their competitor isn’t trustworthy and doesn’t deserve our votes.

I don’t want bad mouthing to be any leader’s message to me. Rather, I do want them to put their money toward something more beneficial.

I want leaders who demonstrate they are capable of making progress toward solving problems—those people can trust to do the right thing for the right reasons and admit their mistakes along the way.

I want leaders who inspire people with hope for the future—those who can deliver on the promises they make.

I want leaders we can look up to and aspire to be like—those who can lead while minimizing the politics.

Leadership Tip

Refrain from knocking your competitors. It’s unprofessional, unproductive, and can turn people away. Have your team stay positive and focused on how to consistently exceed customers’ expectations and deliver the value they truly want.

The damage of turned-off customers caused from knocking the competition can be significant and irreparable. Don’t let it happen!

Most of all, be the leader everyone wants to listen to because you have something positive and worthwhile to say.