Whenever I think of the
attributes I most admire in a family member, friend, employee, or business
colleague, the word Loyalty is always
the first that comes to mind.
Though its definition immediately aligns itself with other fine
qualities like integrity, allegiance, truth and dedication, like many other
words, it remains subject to justification and for that reason, the word loyalty
becomes obscure and nebulous.
Because loyalty, in its most
pristine sense, is a characteristic I genuinely value, and because the state of
being loyal is one to which I constantly aspire, I am often troubled by those
philosophical ideologies predisposed to loyalty to oneself as first and
foremost. Yet, it is this very
principle that continues to destroy personal and professional relationships,
that brings-down companies, governments even entire countries.
When or why has it become so
problematic …so challenging to practice loyalty?
A few years back, as we all witnessed
the demise of Enron, the fall of some of the oldest and most prestigious
financial institutions in our nation’s history and the madness associated with
the Madoff scandal, the underlying culprit was perceived to be greed. But when all is said and done,
greed is nothing more than the absence of loyalty….the inability to maintain
allegiance to the people and the causes with which you have been
entrusted. I would venture to
suggest that as each honorable code was being violated during these and other corrupt
and unprincipled business decisions the perpetrators rationalized their actions
as the pursuit of loyalty…loyalty to an entitlement sought for them.
As CEOs, in today’s corporate
world, we deal with the duplicitous all the time. Actually, ruthlessness is often an attribute admired in
many of the world’s most successful corporate and political leaders. Sadly, anyone with a conscience
supported by unwavering loyalty is perceived as weak, representing a
ripe-for-the-picking opportunity for the unscrupulous poacher to pounce. If this week in history has taught us
anything, it’s that it takes strength to be loyal; it takes tolerance to be
brave; it takes a moral compass to navigate life honorably.
Loyal behavior is not the
“fast way to profits” but in the long run it is the only sustainable way. The
truth always comes out. Sometimes it is immediate. Other times it takes years.
Greed and an unhealthy ego are very expensive character traits.
Choose wisely. Choose your
friends, employees and business colleagues wisely. First earn their respect and
then insist on their loyalty.
You can’t fake loyalty.
Fakers are greedy SOB’s who think they can trick karma. If you have any
business experience you can probably identify with a “faker” who, through the
fate of karma, “got theirs.” When you “get yours” make sure you are getting earned
acknowledgement and financial gain based on loyal and honorable behavior.
Choose wisely.
