Just days after my 21st birthday, I found out that I’d be starting an internship in radio. And along with learning a lot of outdated skills (does anyone broadcast/record/edit on 1/4 inch tape?), I learned one that has continually served me well: loyalty. So many of my friends jump from job to job, searching out huge paychecks, and essentially selling their souls in the name of simply moving forward. They’ll make deals with the devil if it moves their personal goal or agenda forward.
That’s a colossal mistake.
Knowing who your friends are, working with them, developing trusted bonds — these all come back to help you. A few folks laughed recently when I told them I was going back to work with a company that had (twice!) laid me off. In each circumstance, it was a matter of finances. It wasn’t a choice that anyone wanted to make, and it wasn’t one that was made lightly. On my side, when the opportunity arose to bring business into the company, I did.
But back to radio. On my very first day, I got a lecture from the boss on loyalty. No where in that conversation was discussion of job responsibilities or rules and regulations. It was simply a matter of “we’re all in this together, and we’re gonna help each other out.” That philosophy is far more affirming, far more supportive, and much more likely to make a successful team. Check out the “corporate culture” of the following companies. It’s easy to see the sense of validation and respect that they have for their employees.
It could be simply argued that happy employees are productive ones. But it’s more than that, it shows a level of respect which breeds a culture of not only productivity, but loyalty. And that loyalty is what matters. Without it, who cares?
While the six figure salary is nice, I’d rather like and respect the people I work with.
