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Roberta

Is loyalty old fashioned? In this day and age, is the concept of loyalty within the organizational setting antiquated? The very thought of blind loyalty to some unknowing, uncaring, unfeeling entity seems illogical to me. Then I took a little time to think about what loyalty meant for me in my personal relationships. I am known for being very loyal to those close friends of mine.

~ I am available to them whenever and wherever, if they need me.
~ I never judge them.
~ I do not criticize them to others.
~ I publicly support them even when I may not always agree with their choices.
~ I trust their intentions.

~ They want the best for me.
~ They think that I am terrific.
~ They back me up.
~ They encourage me to say no if I can not meet their requests.

I don’t think any of the things that I have listed above are things that we wouldn’t hope for at our place of work. Unfortunately, it is relational and I don’t think that it is very easy to practice it in the abstract organizational sense. However, there is a piece that is sorely lacking in today’s organizations. Those friends of mine to whom I am completely devoted and loyal have been there in my life for some time. We have a history that has been tested to be tried and true. It has taken both time and work. There have been difficulties, but the effort has never been in question. Today, employees, contractors and independents come and go. We have a societal habit of moving on when it gets tough. There is no staying power anymore. I do not comment on this as a good or a bad thing. It is just the way things are. Over the longer term, I do think that this current situation may come back to haunt us.

Despite these trends, if you are committed to some sort of loyal relationship, then you find ways to make it work. I have the good fortune to meet and develop friendships with some very remarkable individuals. I can say with full confidence, I have four extremely important and loyal friendships in my life. Three of whom are geographically over 1,000 km away.

All this to say, I don’t think that loyalty in organizations has to be dead. It does take trust, continuity, time and it must be mutual. I know that in more traditional work places, loyalty is expected, but rarely found amongst the younger employees. This is a sad and reflection on our society. Loyalty to individuals is alive and well and that is a good sign. Why? Because as long as people want to share their experiences and want to see others grow both professionally and personally, the feelings of respect and loyalty will usually be reciprocated.

Our separation from each other is an optical illusion of consciousness.
~ Albert Einstein

Example is not the main thing in influencing others; it's the only thing.
~ Albert Schweitzer

Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.
~ Socrates

A good manager is a man who isn't worried about his own career but rather the careers of those who work for him. My advice: Don't worry about yourself. Take care of those who work for you and you'll float to greatness on their achievements.
~ H.S.M. Burns

This month’s book is the Masterful Coaching Fieldbook by Robert Hargrove. My rating is three out of four only because I had very high expectations based on his first book. This is an excellent primer for managers and coaches alike.

http://coachingoption.com/ bookreview.htm

I like to have a calendar of great scenic natural wonders around. They are so inspiring and majestic. My favorites are ones are from Arizona and Utah. They remind me of when I took a vacation and saw Monument Valley. It cannot be described in words. I am often reminded of the powerful impact that our natural environment has had on me. There have been many moments for me: the Fjords of Norway, the Californian Redwoods, the Alaska Glaciers, the Cabot Trail of Nova Scotia, the Islands of Rhodes and recently snorkeling off Bermuda.

Surprisingly the greatest was closer to home. It was1980 and I had traveled by night into Banff, Alberta. I awoke in a rural setting of the Rocky Mountains. When I think back to that day, I remember so distinctly walking outside into the brisk air of a fall morning at 7:30 a.m. I could smell the dew and see the deer droppings mere yards before me. And before even looking up, I could feel the huge mountains tumbling down upon me. I was paralyzed with awe and wonder. Although I felt small, I felt far from insignificant. I sensed being a part of something far greater than myself. I swore that day never to take my surroundings and nature for granted. I have lived up to that promise reasonably well. Here is this month’s request. Think of some place of beauty for yourself. Get out a picture and meditate on it. And remember. . .

Martin Rutte co-author of the business best-seller "Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work" asks: Is There Room for the Soul at Work?

We have all heard of the Hunger site. Here is one that is quite different.
Chuck Jones is an integral part of our cartoon heritage. As the animator/director of many classic Warner Bros. cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, etc., as well as How The Grinch Stole Christmas. His family has a request for the entire world: send Chuck a letter/email and let him know how his work has touched your life.Their goal is get 1 million letters by February 14, 2001.

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