I have recently been learning more about our government and our Constitution (I think I skipped that class in high school while roaming the halls looking for something to eat), and more specifically the 25th Amendment. Although it is more complex than this, in summary, Article 4 says that a Vice President, along with agreement from a majority of the Cabinet, can remove a President from office.
This made me think, what would happen if our businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations had such an amendment? If they had the authority, how many leadership teams would vote to remove their leader, having lost confidence in the leader and the leader having lost the loyalty of the team? Like on Survivor, would your team vote to send you off the island? If you think the answer might be yes, here are seven actions to earn and retain your team’s loyalty.
First, start by showing loyalty to them.
It is foolish to expect loyalty from your team if you are not also loyal to them. It is surprising how many leaders are blindsided when their teams turn on them, even though the evidence was there all along.
Second, build trust with them.
The higher the trust, the greater the loyalty. How do you build trust? By consistently doing the rest of the things described below. Remember, trust is built slowly over time but can be erased in a matter of minutes.
Third, spend time with them.
When you spend time with your team, they get to know you better and you get to know them better as well. Too much social and emotional distance from them for too long of a period of time can result in unintentional suspicion and distrust.
Fourth, be transparent with them.
Transparency does not mean “tell all.” It means be vulnerable enough to let them see some of your weaknesses and fears, not just your strengths and confidence.
Fifth, ask for feedback from them.
Feedback lets you know if how they see you is similar to how you think they see you or how you see yourself. The bigger the gaps in perception, the greater the likelihood for a crack in loyalty.
Sixth, encourage them to be honest.
Creating a safe environment for questions, ideas, and even critique can build ownership in your team and also build a greater connection to you, the leader. It lets them know you care enough to ask and that you do not assume to have all of the answers.
Seventh, lead with integrity.
Loyalty requires integrity. Doing what you say. Telling the truth. Avoiding unethical behavior. Just these three things alone will make the Velcro between you and your team have extraordinary stickiness.
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Jay Desko is the CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
