Adrie's Blog

Loyalty

A beautiful word - in the same trend as Royalty - but with deeper meaning. According to Wikipedia the word Loyalty means "Faithfulness" or "Devotion" to a person or a cause. I would like to talk about Loyalty today related to doing business. People that know me well, know that I am an extremely loyal person. I will always try to keep my promises, even though sometimes it takes me longer then I had originally expected. However, to fulfill promises has a high priority in my life.

When I look around me, it is often merely about power, ego, money or a combination of those three, and Loyalty seems to be at the bottom of their priorities. Loyalty is a feeling, it is in your blood - a life philosophy - consciously or subconsciously.

People often say that money is the main cause for rifts in Loyalty but I have experienced that that really does not have to be the case. I have earned and lost money with my friends and consider those the people that are always there for you - the Paul's and Johan's of this world who are with you through thick and thin. Sometimes you are lucky enough that you can add someone to that close group, like Ronald - they are like gifts in your life, these people that share the same emotion with you, in good times and in bad times.

If you are to survive times like these, and are trying to keep your head above water, you need those type of friends, but you have to realise that it is a 2-way street. Not that you have to keep score, of whom owes what to whom - but if you are asked to help - you have to be there in return, without question. I experience this very strongly with my children, with whom I have been doing business for years, an unconditional loyalty that I also experience with my co-founder.

Loyalty should be taught in schools as part of the curriculum. Yes, earning money is important - but more important is with whom and how. In all the companies I have built, I have lookedfor peoplethat are loyal - which to me is more important then talent, although the combination is ofcourse ideal. Loyalty does not mean that the people you work with don't move on, following their own path at some point. I have often helped them do so - as I don't see Loyalty as a form of slavery. But you have to keep an eye on each other's best interests.

In the past years, there have been many examples of people that thought they were king and could achieve everything by themselves. Let me tell you though - you always need people around you that will help you, advise you with words and actions.

I sincerely hope that starting entrepreneurs don't get too arrogant when everything seems to be going right and they feel they can do it all by themselves - maintain and invest in your valuable and valued contacts even though they don't seem to add something immediately. You will find that life has a way of circling back, and everything you give out, good or bad - will eventually come back to help or haunt you.