“You can buy a person’s time; you can buy their physical presence at a given place…but you cannot buy their loyalty. You cannot buy the devotion of hearts, minds, or souls. You must earn them.” – Clarence Francis
In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton took a crew of 28 men on his ship, the Endurance, to Antarctica on an expedition. Their ship was frozen in the ice and eventually crushed by the ice flow. It took two years of the most difficult conditions, but Sir Ernest made it to a distant whaling station and all 28 members were saved. It is an incredible story of leadership, bravery and loyalty. What is it that would inspire such loyalty that a group of 28 men, all from different back grounds and areas of expertise, follow one man through the worse conditions. Ernest Shackleton put it this way: “The loyalty of your men is a sacred trust you carry. It is something which must never be betrayed, something you must live up to.”
Success-Minded People understand that the burden of loyalty is not on the followers but on the leader. We must earn loyalty, it is never just given. That is why it is so valued and sought after. That is also why it means so much to us as people to know someone is loyal to us. It says we are important, and that others know they can trust us. Thomas Paine said “What we obtain too cheaply we esteem too little; it is dearness only that gives everything it value.” Those who understand the importance of loyalty and work hard to earn it value it greatly and do not betray that trust and devotion.
In recent times too many people have come to believe that loyalty is given as the price of belonging. You are expected to be loyal to your company, your church, and your relationships and so on because that is your responsibility. That is all wrong. For one, as stated in the Clarence Francis quote at the start of this piece, you cannot buy loyalty or devotion. Second, the burden is fully on the one who must earn it, not on the one giving it. Loyalty is a prize not a right.
I do believe that loyalty is given to those who it is due to some degree. Success-Minded People are loyal people to their leaders, friends and family. However, that means they fulfill their responsibilities to these people, they do not blindly follow. Loyalty has to be more than just doing what is expected of you. Loyalty is a matter for the heart as well as the mind. It creates strong emotions and a desire to serve. Martial arts expert, Morihei Ueshida said “Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.”
True loyalty cannot exist without love. The two are totally intertwined. Success-Minded People know that to those they are loyal to they are devoted to. Loyalty means doing all you can – and then some – to serve and to strengthen those we are loyal to. It is not a burden or painful, it is a joy. Loyalty brings devotion and the knowledge that your service is worthwhile.
© 2012 John Patrick Hickey
