The High Road Isn’t Easy—But It’s Always Worth It

What kind of leader are you when no one’s watching?

In this powerful kickoff to our High Road Leadership series, I’m taking you behind the curtain of my five decades of leadership—across boardrooms, construction sites, nonprofits, and ministries—to share one of the most life-changing principles I’ve ever learned:

*Leadership is not just about what you do—it’s about how you treat people while you do it.

Inspired by John Maxwell’s High Road Leadership and grounded in biblical truth, this episode unpacks the three roads every leader chooses from daily:
🔻 The Low Road—where ego, shortcuts, and self-interest reign
⚖️ The Middle Road—where fair isn’t always faithful
🌄 And the High Road—where grace, integrity, and servant-hearted courage lead the way

I’ll walk you through real-world examples—from boardrooms to betrayal—and challenge you to consider:
 • Are you building your leadership on results… or relationships?
 • Are you chasing applause… or leaving a legacy?
 • Are you willing to trade what’s easy for what’s eternal?

Whether you’ve faced unfair criticism, been tempted to take a shortcut, or need to confront conflict with grace—this episode will give you the framework, encouragement, and spiritual grounding to lead like Jesus in a world that desperately needs it.

🙌 Plus, I’ll give you a Servant Leadership Challenge for the week and a preview of what’s next in this transformative series.

Listen now—and take your next step toward becoming the kind of leader the world trusts, your team respects, and God honors.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and join the journey at Servant Leaders Growth Hub—because together, we build something better.

Transcript

I’ve been leading teams and working with leaders for over five decades—across boardrooms, nonprofits, church ministries, and even construction sites. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Leadership is not just about what you do. It’s about how you treat people while you do it.

And that’s exactly what we’re talking about today—because in this episode, we’re kicking off a new series based on the powerful idea from John Maxwell’s book High Road Leadership. Now listen, this is more than just a leadership strategy—it’s a biblical mindset, a spiritual commitment, and a moral compass that can guide every decision you make as a leader.

Let me ask you something personal:

• Have you ever been criticized unfairly?
• Has someone gossiped about you or twisted your words?
• Have you faced a situation where taking the high ground meant you might lose something—maybe influence, recognition, or even a job or a deal?

I’ve been there. And let me tell you—it’s hard. The easy road is tempting. The middle road feels safe. But the High Road—that’s where the real fruit of leadership is found. That’s where servant leaders live.

Today, we’re going to begin our exploration of what it means to be a High Road Leader—someone who chooses integrity over ego, peace over pettiness, and purpose over personal gain. We’ll walk through Maxwell’s powerful framework, connect it with God’s Word, and look at how you can apply this in the real-world pressures of leadership—whether you’re leading a team, a family, a church, or a company.

So grab your coffee, your journal, or your steering wheel if you're driving—and lean in. Because this is more than just a good idea—this is how we reflect Christ in our leadership. Let’s get started.

The Three Roads of Leadership

Let's begin with a fundamental truth: Leadership is always about moving forward!

 You may not see the street signs, but every interaction you have—every decision you make—is taking you somewhere. And that “somewhere” is usually determined by one of three roads John Maxwell describes in High Road Leadership.

Let’s take a walk down each of these roads together.

🚧 1. The Low Road – Leadership Rooted in Selfishness

This is the road of least resistance. It’s easy. It’s reactive. And let’s be honest, it’s tempting.

Low Road leaders make everything about themselves. They’re driven by ego, power, or profit. They manipulate others to get ahead. They might lie, cut corners, throw people under the bus—or do whatever it takes to “win.”

And here’s the thing: from the outside, they often look successful—for a while. But the fruit of their leadership? It rots from the inside out.

I did a quick search and here are some examples of leaders who took the low-road.

Business Leaders

1. Elizabeth Holmes – Theranos

• Shortcut: Claimed breakthrough blood-testing technology without scientific backing.
• Outcome: Built a billion-dollar company on deception. Convicted of fraud in 2022.
• Lesson: Taking shortcuts with truth to please investors or achieve rapid success can collapse even the most promising ventures.

2. Jeffrey Skilling – Enron

• Shortcut: Used creative (and deceptive) accounting to hide debt and inflate earnings.
• Outcome: One of the largest corporate bankruptcies in U.S. history; Skilling went to prison.
• Lesson: Complexity and speed are no substitute for ethical clarity and transparency.

3. Adam Neumann – WeWork

• Shortcut: Scaled aggressively without sustainable business fundamentals or governance.
• Outcome: IPO collapsed; valuation dropped from $47B to under $10B.
• Lesson: Hype and personal charisma can’t replace clear leadership and operational discipline.

⚖️ Political Leaders

4. Richard Nixon – Watergate

• Shortcut: Approved illegal surveillance to ensure re-election.
• Outcome: Resigned from the presidency in disgrace; eroded public trust in government.
• Lesson: Winning at all costs is a hollow victory if it sacrifices moral authority.

5. Rod Blagojevich – Former Illinois Governor

• Shortcut: Tried to "sell" President Obama’s vacated Senate seat.
• Outcome: Arrested and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
• Lesson: Power used for personal gain rather than public service leads to downfall.

🎯 Sports 

6. Lance Armstrong – Professional Cyclist

• Shortcut: Used performance-enhancing drugs to dominate the Tour de France.
• Outcome: Stripped of all seven titles; reputation permanently tarnished.
• Lesson: Shortcuts in character eventually undo even the most celebrated success.

That’s the danger of the Low Road: it may get you to your goal faster, but it leaves a trail of broken trust behind you.

Proverbs 14:12 says,

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
 That’s the Low Road—it looks like a shortcut, but it’s really a dead-end.

🚦 2. The Middle Road – Transactional Leadership

Next up is the Middle Road. This one isn’t as obvious, but it might be even more common.

Middle Road leaders are… fair. Reasonable. Professional. They don’t abuse people. They play by the rules. But here’s the catch: they’re still not transformational.

They operate on a "you give, I give" mindset. You perform; I reward. You help me, I help you. It’s tit-for-tat leadership—and while it’s not toxic, it’s not inspiring either.

This kind of leadership lacks soul.

I’ve worked with plenty of leaders like this over the years—good folks. Their teams don’t hate them, but they don’t follow them either. There’s no passion, no buy-in, no shared mission. Why? Because they haven’t connected heart-to-heart with their people.

Luke 6:32–33 says:

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.”
 In other words, just doing what’s expected doesn’t make your leadership stand out.

The Middle Road won’t destroy a culture, but it won’t ignite one either. And servant leaders? We’re called to more.

🌄 3. The High Road – Intentional, Integrity-Driven Leadership

Now we come to the High Road.

This is leadership that doesn’t just ask, “What can I get?” or even, “What’s fair?”
It asks, “What’s right—and what’s loving?”

High Road leaders go above and beyond what’s expected. They don’t respond to criticism with revenge. They don’t lead out of emotion. They choose to be gracious instead of defensive, patient instead of impulsive, kind even when it’s undeserved.

In other words, they lead like Jesus.

1 Peter 3:9 puts it this way:

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing...”
 That’s High Road leadership.

It’s not about power—it’s about people. It’s not about being right—it’s about being righteous. And let me tell you something I’ve learned over five decades of leadership: taking the High Road will cost you in the short-term—but it will multiply your impact in the long run.

You may lose a deal, but you’ll gain a reputation.
 You may not always be liked, but you’ll always be respected.
 You may not win every battle—but you’ll win hearts, and that’s where real leadership lives.

So here’s the question:
 Which road are you on right now?

• Are you letting your pride or emotions drag you down the Low Road?
• Are you stuck in the safe-but-shallow Middle Road?
• Or are you choosing—day by day, decision by decision—to take the High Road?

Here’s the truth: No one ends up on the High Road by accident.
You must choose it. 

You must walk it and sometimes? 

You must climb it—because it’s not easy. But it is worth it.

What Is the High Road?

Now that we’ve walked through the three leadership roads, let’s camp out on the one that matters most: The High Road.

If you’re taking notes, jot this down:

“The High Road is the path of leadership that reflects the character of Christ.”

It’s the road where grace meets truth, where strength is clothed in humility, and where influence is built not on authority—but on how you treat people when it would be easier not to care.

✨ What Makes the High Road So Different?

The High Road is intentional. It doesn’t happen by default—it happens by decision. You’ve got to choose it, especially when it would be easier to go low or settle for what’s fair.

John Maxwell says,

“High Road leaders lead with integrity, prioritize relationships over results, and actively seek to bring people together.”

Let’s break that down.

🔒 1. Leading with Integrity

Integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody’s watching. And on the High Road, it’s not about protecting your image—it’s about protecting your influence.

Proverbs 11:3 says:

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

A High Road leader doesn’t need to check the scoreboard every five minutes. They trust that doing the right thing is the win—because they’re playing the long game.

They don’t pivot based on people’s opinions or office politics. They are guided by a deeper compass—a Kingdom compass.

❤️ 2. Prioritizing Relationships Over Results

Listen, results matter. Deadlines, revenue, performance—all of that has a place. But servant leaders never put success ahead of people.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. Think about how often He stopped what He was doing to connect with someone who needed healing, forgiveness, or hope.

He saw people first.

That’s why John 13:34–35 hits so hard for High Road leaders:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

When we put people first—not just in principle, but in practice—we lead in a way that reflects the love of Jesus. That’s High Road leadership.

🌉 3. Actively Seeking to Bring People Together

Division is easy. Unity is holy.

The High Road isn’t just about not causing conflict—it’s about healing it. High Road leaders don’t widen gaps. They build bridges.

They don't say, "That’s not my problem." They say, "Let’s find a way forward."

Maxwell puts it this way:

“Instead of widening the chasm between us, we need to build bridges and move toward others while looking for common ground.”

This is exactly what Paul talks about in Ephesians 4:3:

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

High Road leaders take responsibility for creating connection—even when it would be easier to write people off.

⚖️ But Coach, What About Tough Decisions?

I hear this question a lot.

People say, “Larry, I get all this… but what about when someone on my team is underperforming? Or what if a client’s being dishonest? Isn’t the High Road just being soft?”

Absolutely not.

High Road leadership isn’t weak—it’s wise. It doesn’t mean you avoid conflict or hard conversations. It means you approach them with maturity, clarity, and compassion.

Jesus flipped tables in the temple—not out of rage, but out of righteous purpose. He called out Pharisees, but He also wept for them.

High Road leadership isn’t about avoiding hard truth—it’s about speaking the truth in love.
(Ephesians 4:15)

So when you hold someone accountable, you do it with grace.
 When you make tough calls, you do it with prayer.
 When you face injustice, you fight it—but without becoming bitter or vengeful in the process.

🛤️ The High Road is a Daily Decision

Let me encourage you with this:
 You won’t always get it right. I don’t. None of us do. But every new day is a new opportunity to choose the High Road again.

• When someone disrespects you—choose grace.
• When emotions flare—pause, pray, and choose peace.
• When gossip starts flying—rise above it.
• When you're tempted to take the shortcut—stand on integrity.

Romans 12:21 says it plain:

“Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.”

That’s what it means to take the High Road.

So, let me ask you:

• Are you reacting to people… or responding in the Spirit?
• Are you protecting your pride… or pursuing peace?
• Are you leading from position… or leading from love?

Because the High Road isn't just about behavior—it's about who you’re becoming as a leader.

Real-World Application:

Now that we’ve unpacked what the High Road is—and why it matters—let’s make it personal.

Because here’s the truth:

Leadership isn’t proven in your intentions—it’s proven in your interactions.

And the High Road gets tested not in calm seasons, but in the chaotic, pressure-filled moments when your character must make a decision your ego doesn’t want to.

Let me share two real-world scenarios that bring this principle to life. I’ve seen these play out time and again, and I’m willing to bet you’ve experienced something like this too.

💼 Example 1: The Competitive Business Negotiation

Imagine you’re a business owner bidding on a major project. You’ve done your homework, built the relationships, submitted your best proposal—only to find out the competitor is offering a lower bid, possibly undercutting you unfairly by using information they shouldn't have had.

Now you have a choice:

• Do you retaliate?
• Do you call them out publicly?
• Do you find some dirt to level the playing field?

Or… do you take the High Road?

Let’s say you choose honesty over outrage.
You call your client and say, “We stand by our offer. We won’t compromise quality or integrity just to win a deal. And if we’re not the right fit this time, we’ll still be here when you need us.”

That kind of leadership leaves a mark. It may not get you the contract today—but it will get you something far more valuable: trust, credibility, and a reputation that attracts the right partnerships over time. This reminds me of when I turned down a large contribution to a program I was starting. The money would come with some strings attached I could not agree with, even though some of my contemporaries had. It meant a huge loss financially, but eventually the same funders agreed to significantly support a $27 million dollar project with no strings attached.

Proverbs 22:1 says,

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

You see, the High Road often looks like a short-term loss…
 …but it leads to long-term leadership gains that money can’t buy.

🗣️ Example 2: Conflict in the Workplace

Let me paint another picture. You’re a department head. One of your team members—let’s call her Sarah—has been spreading some negative talk behind your back. You hear it from someone else. Naturally, you’re disappointed. Maybe even hurt.

Now, you’ve got a decision to make.

The Low Road says: “Put her on notice that your not happy. Call her out in the next team meeting. Teach her a lesson.”
The Middle Road says: “Ignore it. It’s not worth it. Just distance yourself.”
But the High Road? That’s where leadership begins.

You pull Sarah aside for a private conversation. You don’t accuse—you ask.
 “Hey, I’ve sensed some tension. I heard something recently that concerned me. Can we talk about what’s going on?”

You listen. You seek to understand. And maybe in that conversation, you uncover not just her frustration—but a misunderstanding you didn’t even know existed. Maybe she’s been carrying hurt too.

Now you can not only clear the air, but to build a stronger relationship than you had before.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:15:

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”

That’s conflict resolution the High Road way:
 Private conversation. Humble posture. Healing goal.

Let me tell you, I’ve had to take that road many times as a leader. It’s not easy. It takes swallowing pride, praying before you speak, and asking the Holy Spirit to help you choose understanding over judgment.

But every time I’ve done it, I’ve walked away stronger. More respected. More connected.
 And the people I’ve led? They remember how I handled the hard stuff—not just what I accomplished.

🎯 Real-World Reflection: What About You?

So here’s where we bring it home.

Think about your own leadership world—whether that’s in business, church, nonprofit, your family, or your team:

• Is there a situation right now where you’ve been tempted to go low?
• Are you facing a decision where the Middle Road just feels “safe”?
• Is there someone you need to have a High Road conversation with this week?

The High Road isn’t the comfortable road.
 But it is the Kingdom Road—the one Jesus travelled and modeled over and over.

Remember what He said on the cross?

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

That’s leadership at its highest level—grace in the face of betrayal.

You may not be facing a crucifixion. But in your world, you might be facing criticism, betrayal, injustice, or exhaustion.

In those moments, choosing the High Road doesn’t make you weak.
 It makes you stronger than the storm.

The Rewards of the High Road:

Now that we’ve seen how the High Road plays out in real-world leadership moments, let’s talk about what’s waiting at the end of that road.

Because let’s be honest—if you’re going to put in the hard work of leading with integrity, humility, and grace, you want to know:
 Is it worth it?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Let me tell you—there are some rewards that numbers can’t measure, bonuses can’t buy, and titles can’t give. And those are the very rewards waiting for the leader who walks the High Road.

💎 1. The Reward of Trust

Trust is the currency of leadership. If people can’t trust you, they won’t follow you—at least not willingly or wholeheartedly.

And here's the thing: trust isn’t built by how impressive you are—it’s built by how consistent you are.

High Road leaders build trust by choosing what’s right, even when it’s inconvenient. They don’t change personalities in every meeting. They don’t spin the truth. Their teams can count on them to lead with fairness, clarity, and character.

Proverbs 3:3–4 says:

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you… Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

In other words, when you walk in love and loyalty, trust follows.
 And trust is the soil where influence grows.

🤝 2. The Reward of Stronger Relationships

One of the most overlooked blessings of the High Road is this:
 It strengthens your relationships—even with difficult people.

When you choose to lead from a place of respect, grace, and patience, you open doors for deeper connection. Even those who may disagree with you—or who’ve opposed you in the past—will eventually come to see your consistency and care.

Think about Jesus and His disciples. He didn’t just lead them—He walked with them, ate with them, wept with them, washed their feet.

That’s what High Road leadership looks like:
 It’s not just directing people—it’s investing in people.

And guess what? Those deep relationships don’t just create stronger teams… they create a stronger you.

You grow. You mature. You learn to love people as they are, not just for what they can do for you.

Romans 12:10 reminds us:

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

That’s how High Road leaders treat their people.

🔥 3. The Reward of Impact

Impact is different from influence. You can influence someone’s opinion with words—but you impact their life with who you are.

High Road leaders are remembered not just for what they accomplished, but for how they uplifted others.

Think about a leader who’s impacted your life. Chances are, it wasn’t just their vision or success—it was how they made you feel.

• Maybe they believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself.
• Maybe they offered you grace when you messed up.
• Maybe they stayed calm in the storm and showed you what strength really looks like.

Those are the moments that stay with people.

Maxwell says it perfectly:

“Your leadership legacy is determined by how you treat others.”

That’s your real resume, friends—not just your accomplishments, but your impact on people’s hearts.

🌿 4. The Reward of Personal Peace and Spiritual Integrity

There’s one more reward I don’t want to skip—and it might be the most important one of all:
 peace in your spirit.

When you take the High Road, you sleep better at night. You don’t have to second-guess your motives, cover your tracks, or apologize for rash decisions made in anger or pride.

You stand before God and people with a clear conscience.

2 Corinthians 8:21 says:

“For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.”

That’s the High Road mindset.

Even when others misunderstand you…
 Even when the results are slow…
 Even when taking the low road would feel so justified...

You have the confidence of knowing:
 You did what was right. You honored God. You honored people.

And that kind of peace? It’s priceless.

As we wrap up consider the following questions:

• Are you building your leadership on results—or on relationships?
• Are you chasing applause—or leaving a legacy?
• Are you willing to trade what’s easy for what’s eternal?

The High Road is the only path that leads to real, lasting fruit—not just for your leadership, but for your soul.

We’ve talked about what the High Road is, how it plays out in real life, and the rich rewards it brings. But now it’s time to pause and look inward.

Because High Road leadership doesn’t start with a mission statement or a new strategy—it starts in your heart.

🔍 Reflection Questions for the Heart-Check

I want you to really think about the following questions. Write them down. Meditate on them during your prayer time this week.

🧠 1. Where in your leadership are you tempted to take the low road?

• Is it when someone criticizes you?
• When someone gossips behind your back?
• When a competitor plays dirty?

What would it look like to respond with grace instead of retaliation?

🤝 2. Are there relationships you’ve been treating transactionally?

• Are there people you only deal with when you need something from them?
• Are there people you’ve overlooked because they can’t help you climb higher?

Remember: High Road leadership values people not for what they produce, but for who they are.

🛑 3. Are there moments recently where you’ve settled for the “Middle Road”?

• Maybe you avoided a hard conversation you needed to have.
• Maybe you did what was fair—but not what was best.
• Maybe you withheld encouragement, thinking “It’s not my job to build their confidence.”

Romans 12:10 says,

“Honor one another above yourselves.”
 That’s the heart of High Road leadership. We lift others even when it costs us something.

Your Servant Leadership Challenge This Week

Here’s your practical step:

Choose one situation or one relationship this week where you will intentionally take the High Road.

Not emotionally. Not reactively. Not because it feels good.

But on purpose. With prayer. With integrity.

It could be:

• Reaching out to someone you’ve had conflict with and initiating a healing conversation.
• Choosing to speak positively about someone when others are tearing them down.
• Going out of your way to encourage someone on your team who’s been overlooked.
• Forgiving someone silently—without announcing it or demanding anything in return.
• Owning a mistake, even if it would be easier to pass the blame.

And when you do? Write it down. Reflect on it.
 Ask yourself:

• How did that feel?
• What changed?
• What fruit did I see—or plant?

Because this isn’t just about doing the right thing once. It’s about forming a leadership habit that reflects the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:5 tells us:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

That’s the goal. That’s the High Road.

 Share the Journey

If this challenge speaks to you, don’t keep it to yourself.

• Share your experience in the comments.
• Post about it on social media using the hashtag #HighRoadLeadership and tag me—I’d love to hear how you’re applying this.
• And better yet, invite someone else to take the challenge with you. Accountability makes growth more powerful.

Remember, servant leadership isn’t a solo mission. It’s a shared calling—and together, we build something far greater than we ever could alone.

Closing & Next Episode Tease:

Well, friend, if you’re still with me—you’re not just interested in leadership, you’re committed to growing as a servant leader.

Let me remind you of this truth one more time:

Taking the High Road isn’t just good leadership—it’s Kingdom leadership.

It’s the path Jesus walked.
 It’s the path that builds trust, multiplies impact, and creates a leadership legacy that won’t fade with time.

But I want to say this as clearly as I can:

You’re not alone on this journey.

Whether you’re leading a company, a congregation, a classroom, or your own family—there will be days when taking the High Road feels lonely.
 There will be moments when it feels like nobody sees the sacrifices you’re making or the grace you’re giving.

But I promise you—God sees it all.

Hebrews 6:10 says:

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

So keep going. Keep leading with love. Keep choosing grace.
 Because High Road leaders aren’t driven by applause—they’re anchored in purpose.

🙌 What’s Coming Next on the Podcast

Now… if today lit a fire in you, you’re going to love what’s coming next.

In the next episode of Servant Leaders Blueprint, we’re going to dig deeper into what High Road leaders build—specifically:

How to become a bridge-builder in a culture that’s pulling people apart.

We’ll talk about:

• How to lead people who disagree with you (and still move forward together)
• How to deal with division in your team or organization
• And how to lead from unity, not uniformity

Because servant leaders aren’t called to pick sides—we’re called to bring people together under a shared mission and a higher purpose.

If that sounds like something you need right now, make sure you hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss it.

📣 Take Action Today

Before you go, let me ask you to do a few quick things that will help us take the High Road together:

✅ Leave a review on your podcast app—when you do, it helps more values-driven leaders like you find this show.

✅ Share this episode with a leader in your life who needs encouragement. Text it to a friend, email your team, or post it in your leadership circle.

✅ Join the conversation inside our Servant Leaders Growth Hub—it’s a space where you can connect with other like-minded leaders who are walking the same road you are. You’ll find support, tools, and encouragement every step of the way.

And hey, if today’s episode hit home, I’d love to hear from you.
 Shoot me a message, tag me on social media with your thoughts, or email me with your High Road story.

Let me leave you with this:

The High Road may be steep. It may be narrow.
 But it is the path that leads to peace, purpose, and a leadership legacy that honors God.

Don’t settle for less. Don’t settle for average.
 You were made to lead with excellence. You were called to lead like Jesus.

So until next time, friend—stay humble, stay hopeful, and keep taking the High Road.

God bless you… and keep leading in the footsteps of Jesus the Servant Leader.