It's Easy to Find the "i" in the A-Hole but Where is the Loyalty?

Loyal is not just a word, it is one of the nicest compliments that you can pay to another person. After all, loyalty is a desirable trait for anyone to have, no matter if they are your friend, partner, family member, employer, or employee. While loyalty in your personal life is desirable, in your professional life it is vital.

Perhaps one of the reasons that loyalty is such a rare quality these days, is that loyalty is so easily misplaced. The merits of loyalty are often debated – anyone who has ever been hurt by someone they considered a true friend can attest to the fact that loyalty is a double edged sword. But no one who has ever found himself in need of a true friend can deny it is one of the most valuable gifts in the world. But as valuable it is, it can also be exceedingly rare.

In a Workforce survey, 80% of respondents agreed that their definition of loyalty in the workplace had changed over time. The workplace has become transactional for the employee. More and more workers are taking the view that they are solely responsible for their careers. The concept of climbing the corporate ladder leaves too much of that control in the hands of others. The traditional corporate ladder model, growth (either in skills, leadership or compensation) is virtually non-existent today and can be too easily hindered.

Loyalty has nothing to do with length of time, accomplishments, or relationship. There are several things that loyal people always exhibit. Here are some of the keys that exemplify loyalty in the workplace and extend beyond roles:

1. They treat you like a person - Remarkably loyal employees flip the employer-employee relationship: They believe you want to help them reach their professional and personal goals and that you want what's best for them--and they also want what's best for you, both at work and in your personal life.
2. They tell you what you least want to hear - Remarkably loyal employees know that you most need to hear what you least want to hear: that your ideas may not work, that your point of view is off, that you made a mistake. They'll tell you because they know that even though you may not care much for what you're going to hear, they believe that you care about doing what is best for your company and your employees.
3. They never criticize you in public - They don't gossip, they don't snipe, they don't talk behind your back--they give you the respect, even when you're not around, & they expect to receive the same.
4. They disagree in private - Debate is healthy. Disagreement is healthy. Weighing the pros and cons of a decision, playing devil's advocate, sharing opinions; every leader wants to hear what his or her team thinks. It's not just enlightening; it's stimulating.
5. They support you & your decisions in public - Even when they disagree with a decision, loyal employees don't try to prove you wrong. Instead, they do everything they can to prove you right.
6. They are open and honest with you - Remarkably loyal employees trust that they can share their opinions. In fact, they trust that you want them to because the company and team, benefit from an honest exchange of differing opinions and points of view.

There is a strong bond between loyalty, productivity and profitability. Employee productivity is interrelated to employee/employer loyalty and employee loyalty is linked with employee satisfaction. 

What are some of the ways you inspire loyalty or someone has inspired loyalty from you?