Loyalty needs limits

As leaders, we often find ourselves navigating the fine line between loyalty to a person and loyalty to achieving the desired result. Loyalty to individuals is all good, but there must be a limit. Loyalty to the person should never be to the detriment of the objective or result, because that holds far greater importance.

Over the years, I've witnessed how my loyalty to underperforming individuals has hindered progress and negatively impacted the success of my business. Nowadays I’ve shifted the focus, and I prioritize loyalty to the result above all else.

In our pursuit of success, it is natural to form strong bonds with colleagues. Loyalty to individuals feels good and creates a great working environment, but we must be mindful that loyalty should not blind us to the bigger picture. When we prioritize loyalty to a person over the result, we risk compromising the overall success of the team and organisation.

Inevitably, we have all experienced instances where misplaced loyalty to underperforming individuals has let us down. We have witnessed the detrimental effects of tolerating underwork, missed deadlines, and subpar outcomes. By staying loyal to those individuals, we allow mediocrity to flourish, hindering our progress and growth potential. Think how your top performers feel when you accept anything but the best! By showing the team it is acceptable not to deliver results, you're going to lose the effort of your most effective people.

Instead, I embrace loyalty to the result as my guiding principle. When we prioritise the desired outcome, we create an environment that fosters excellence and accountability. Loyalty to the result ensures that everyone is aligned towards a common goal and encourages everyone to perform at their best. It empowers teams to hold each other accountable, driving productivity and innovation.Our people take ownership of their responsibilities and deliver exceptional results. By prioritising the result, we've created an environment where hard work, dedication, and continuous improvement are celebrated and rewarded.

I believe that loyalty to the result is far more important than loyalty to a person. While it is essential to cultivate strong relationships in the workplace, we must not allow our loyalty to blind us to underperformance. By prioritizing the desired outcome, we foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and personal growth.

Throw out misplaced loyalties that are holding you back and embrace a future where success is driven by an unwavering commitment to achieving the desired result.?Loyalty needs to have a limit!