Leadership and Loyalty

As I reviewed the characteristics of the great leaders throughout history...I found that most if not all demanded "loyalty" form those that they kept within their "circle.  The interesting thing about this commonality was (is) that it is VERY apparent...

It is such a visible characteristic...that wanna-be leaders emulate this without knowing the real secret!

Many poor leaders demand loyalty not only because it appears that it is the thing to do...but because they are incompetent!  Disloyal "circle members" pose a threat to their livelihood and success...

I have watch many  "TOTALLY" incompetent leaders fire subordinates because they rightly pointed out major breaches in a leader's competency...

This is a bastardization of the true concept of loyalty and behaviors such as the one previously mentioned is one of the few instances where I truly believe in an "eye for an eye!"

If loyalty is not an unquestioning and selfless support of another...what is it?

The Great Leaders did demand loyalty...

They however recognized that loyalty is a fragile animal!

They also recognized that loyalty can not be required but is earned...and cultivated...

At any moment...a breach in one's character and integrity could effectively destroy any semblance of loyalty...

The demand for loyalty in reality was not a requirement for their followers...but a commitment to extraordinary behavior on their part...which earned unwavering loyalty!

If a follower had a criticism...a great leader took it to heart...realizing that it was true...

A great leader NEVER sought retaliation for any behavior that challenged the behaviors or decisions...

A great leader realized that if the individual was right...they either deserved the ramifications related to the breach...or they took the opportunity to improve. 

Those who lacked this integrity and insight...are not leaders...but are no more valuable than the primordial slime from which their ancient ancestors arose!
Great leaders either met the challenge...changed the behavior...or stepped down!

Most pseudo-leaders today...spend most of their time defending their territory...and their reputation...

It is because of insecurity, incompetence...and laziness!

Some just plain do not know or understand the real ramifications of a demand for loyalty!

Most would be better off...not demanding it...

But they think they have to be like the real leaders...

I believe that most of these pseudo-leaders will never learn this lesson...

I hope that organizations begin to recognize this and take the right actions...

Many innocent employees have been hurt by those terrible leaders...

Companies have lost individuals who had much higher ethics, morals and more regard for the company's well being than the incompetent person who fired them!

I have ranted enough for one blog...

A demand for loyalty is a commitment to personal excellence...that those from which loyalty is demanded is truly nothing more than a by-product...only a fool would not be committed to someone like that!
Anything other than that...is deception...

The question that you must ask yourself...

Are you a real leader...or...

A liar?