BEHAVIOR #5 SHOW LOYALTY (pp. 165 - 171)

"It's been my experience that the people who gain trust, loyalty, excitement, and energy fast are the ones who pass on the credit to the people who have really done the work.  A leader doesn't need any credit...He's getting more credit than he deserves anyway." - says Robert Townsend, former CEO of Avis.

Agree? (I'm not sure that I 100% do, but I get the gist of what he is saying).

This behavior...showing loyalty... shows up in several ways:
* Give credit freely
* Acknowledge the contributions of others.
* Speak about people as if they were present.
* Represent others who aren't there to speak for themselves.
* Don't bad-mouth others behind their backs.
* Don't disclose others' private information.

I see this behavior as a discipline of the tongue and the heart.

"I really don't feel comfortable talking about this person like this when he/she is not here. If we have a concern, let's go talk with him/her." Really, this habit is about considering how you would want to be talked about in your absence. We've all been on both sides. This is a great reminder.

I especially love Covey's heart toward honoring family. "Make it a rule to never talk about family members in negative ways.  Be thoughtful about how you talk with your partner about family members, including children.  Catch your children doing things right - and share your excitement about their good deeds." This could be said of spouses, siblings, extended family, crazy Uncle Charlie...

Do you ever think about the standard of accountability and scrutiny the Covey family must live under as the voice of moral behavior in the last couple of generations? Just a thought.