Leadership & Loyalty: A Tale of Truth

On my nightstand right now is The Paragon Hotel. It’s 1921 and a gun moll, Miss James, flees from Prohibition-era Harlem to Portland's Paragon Hotel.

As a teen, facing the life of a prostitute, the hotel cook asks Miss James, “[w]hat do you want to be, then?

She responds, “I want to be the Apostle Peter except that I wouldn’t deny Christ, I’d rescue Him and we’d run Pilate’s soldiers through with our spears. I want to be a knight serving a noble king, like King Arthur. I want to be Doc Holiday and save Wyatt Earp’s life during a saloon standoff. “

She reminds me of me (no, I did not do a stint in the mob)! Rather, as I was transitioning careers, I looked for the common thread and realized I was always the right hand to the person in charge. Whenever asked the oh so popular icebreaker for ‘my superpower’, I respond, I engender trust easily.

Loyalty is not dead. In fact, as a leader, loyalty is critical to success. Particularly, when the sh$t hits the fan, a strategy falls short of expectations, or a decision proves wrong.

Loyalty is an unswerving allegiance to a person or a cause, ideal or custom. 

As a leader how do you foster that loyalty?

I Got Your Back

Your team needs to know that you have their back when they make mistakes, or something does not go as planned. Loyalty is a two-way street. If you want them to stand by you in tough times, you must do the same.

You provide cover for your team to those outside your organization. You don’t look to shame or place blame. Instead, you provide constructive feedback and give them a second chance.

In Dr. Timothy Clark’s book, The Four Stages of Psychological Safety: Defining the Path to Inclusion and Innovation, stage four is challenger safety. The belief that you can challenge the status quo. He explains, “[w]hen we create challenger safety, we give air cover in exchange for candor.

Be Authentic

Be real. Be who you are. Be human. Stand in your vulnerability. Admit weaknesses and show humility. 

It has been explained that the power of authenticity stems from the fact that people connect with those that show the same range of emotions. Yes, project confidence in yourself and your team but be honest and real.

Treat everyone the same. To me that means you are the same person with everyone – interns, executive assistants, team members, directors, investors, and partners.

Continuously talk about your vision for the company and create shared goals and values. Remember loyalty is as much about a person as it is for a cause or ideal.  Your company’s mission and values should unite your team.  

Be in Service, Not Self

Support your team members’ goals, aspirations, and interests.

Give them opportunities to stretch and improve their skills and gain experience. Delegate real responsibility and remove obstacles. Coach them through mistakes, encourage them to keep going and try again, and be willing to jump in during those long hours or fire drills.

This where your emotional intelligence kicks in. Be aware of your reactions, do you attack, throw someone under the bus, do you belittle or show disappointment (we all know that one is a killer!).

Be Relationship-Driven

Leaders that inspire loyalty show that they care about their team members. They take the time to get to know them not just as employees but as people.

They ask questions about their lives outside the office. They know what matters to them, what motivates them, about their families, and their hobbies or interests. They have some fun!

You Are a Straight Shooter

Do what you say and say what you mean.  Be honest and open in your communications. Don’t hide the ball.

Whether it’s giving direct feedback, bad news, or addressing conflicts, don’t be cryptic and vague.  And don’t rely on threats or intimidation (ok a departure from the Mafia analogy). Honesty builds respect. Builds credibility. Trust.  

Loyalty is perhaps a subtle trait or quality of great leadership, yet from the beginning of time loyalty has been rewarded, revered, and recognized in relationships.

Need to build up your ‘ride or die’ squad? Not sure who has your back? Setup a 30-min, no commitment, strategy call.