Most people see leadership as a destination—a place where you finally get the office, the authority, and the perks. In The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell argues the opposite. In The Law of Sacrifice, he reminds us that the higher you go in leadership, the more is required of you, and the less “freedom” you actually have.
The Law of Sacrifice states: A leader must give up to go up. If you want to reach a new level of success, you have to be willing to leave behind the habits, comforts, or even the roles that got you to where you are today.
The 4 Realities of Sacrifice
To help your team grow, you have to embrace these four truths about the “cost” of progress:
- There is No Success Without Sacrifice: If you see someone who is successful, they have undoubtedly given something up—time, sleep, ego, or old ways of thinking.
- Leaders Are Often Asked to Give Up More Than Others: While followers may sacrifice for a season, a leader’s sacrifice is ongoing.
- You Must Keep Giving Up to Stay Up: You can’t just sacrifice once and “arrive.” Success is a rental, and the rent is due every day.
- The Higher the Level of Leadership, the Greater the Sacrifice: At the top of the mountain, the air is thinner and the margin for error is smaller.
What Are You Holding Onto? (A Quick Self-Assessment)
Before we move forward, take an honest look at your current leadership “baggage.” Score each statement using the scale below:
| Score | Description |
| 1 | Never / Not at all |
| 2 | Rarely / Needs significant work |
| 3 | Sometimes / Average |
| 4 | Often / Above average |
| 5 | Consistently / A core strength |
- [ ] Ego Management: I am willing to let someone else take the credit if it means the mission moves forward.
- [ ] Comfort Zone: I regularly lean into “uncomfortable” decisions rather than choosing the easiest path.
- [ ] Personal Time: I prioritize the needs of my team’s growth over my own personal convenience when it matters most.
- [ ] Letting Go: I have successfully moved away from “doing” the tasks I love to focus on the “leading” the team needs.
- [ ] Long-term Vision: I am willing to sacrifice short-term profits or praise for long-term organizational health.
Your Score:
- 20-25: You understand the price of leadership. You are primed for the next level.
- 15-19: You’re making some sacrifices, but you might be “clinging” to old comforts that are slowing your ascent.
- Under 15: You may have reached a “sacrifice ceiling.” To go higher, you’ll need to lighten the load.
Why Sacrifice is Hard
In my coaching practice, I find that leaders struggle with sacrifice because of The Arrival Myth. We think that once we reach a certain title, we “deserve” to stop sacrificing. In reality, that’s when the real work begins.
Common “weights” that hold leaders back:
- The Desire to be Liked: Sacrificing popularity for the sake of the right decision.
- Micromanagement: Sacrificing control to empower others.
- Old Successes: Sacrificing “the way we’ve always done it” to innovate for the future.
How We Navigate the Climb Together
Sacrifice is easier when you have a partner to help you see what’s worth keeping and what’s worth letting go. Here is how we partner in this phase:
- The “Ceiling” Analysis: We’ll identify exactly what is stopping your upward mobility. Often, it’s a habit or a mindset that served you five years ago but is hurting you now.
- Prioritization of Energy: We’ll work on sacrificing the “good” so you can be available for the “great.”
- Resilience Coaching: Letting go is hard. I provide the support and accountability needed to make the tough calls that leadership demands.
“If leaders have to give up to go up, then they have to give up even more to stay up.” — John Maxwell
Ready to Lighten the Load?
The view is better at the top, but you can’t get there if you’re carrying too much.
- The Sacrifice Strategy Session (90-Minute Intensive): We identify your number one “growth killer” and create a plan to let it go.
- The Ascent Program (3-Month Coaching): A deep-dive into the disciplines of high-level leadership and the intentional sacrifices required to lead at scale.
- The Legacy Partner Retainer: For the leader ready to sacrifice their own spotlight to build a team that outlasts them.
Click HERE to schedule your Discovery Call.
Coming Up Next…
You’ve made the sacrifice, you’ve got the momentum, and your priorities are set. But when do you pull the trigger? In our next post, we dive into Law #19: The Law of Timing.