What is Loyalty, and Who Deserves Yours?

Let’s begin with some quotes from Wikipedia:

“Loyalty is faithfulness or devotion to a person or cause.”

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“Plato said that only a man who is just can be loyal, and that loyalty is a condition of genuine philosophy.”

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“…all political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their benefit; and that they have at all times an undeniable and indefeasible right to alter their form of government in such a manner as they may think expedient.”

Under that gospel, the citizen who thinks he sees that the commonwealth’s political clothes are worn out, and yet holds his peace and does not agitate for a new suit, is disloyal; he is a traitor.”

– by Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

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End of Excerpts…

Let me edit what Mark Twain said, and apply it to today’s business world…

The employee that believes his company’s leadership and direction are out of line, but maintains the status quo, and does not challenge his management is disloyal; he is insubordinate…

I read an outstanding article on leadership and loyalty that was written by Peter Barron Stark and Associates and I encourage everyone that reads this post to read this paper.

True leaders earn loyalty through their actions, not through intimidation, gift giving, or large salaries.  Leaders that demand loyalty based upon these acts will have a pool of workers that stab each other in the back, and work to promote themselves over the good of the organization.

I have worked in just such an organization, and am glad to be building my own organization now.  I was so happy with my large corporate salary that I convinced several of my friends to come join me at the feeding trough.  Where are they now that I’m gone?  No longer my friends…   They succumbed to the lure of big money, and have become a party to numerous injustices.  One day, they too will find themselves a victim of circumstance, and the latest expendable piece of the corporate puzzle.  How will they deal with the fact that they allowed themselves to participate in such a blatant abuse of power and twisting of the truth?  That is for them to deal with, I will be here for them if they want to talk…

One thing is for sure, I will use what I learned in the past to ensure that my employees truly enjoy working with me.  We as leaders need to understand that our employees define who we are as a company.  We are leaders, not despots.  We should lead the by setting an example, and creating higher expectations of ourselves first.  We do not own our employees, nor should we strive to control them.