The Portal of Admiration & Loyalty: The True Cost
Admiration feels good. It can also become a price we ask honesty to pay. When we want to be seen as capable, generous, or loyal, we may agree to something we do not believe or hide a disagreement that matters.
Loyalty is especially easy to confuse with the appearance of loyalty. Supporting a person or commitment may require telling an unwelcome truth. Protecting our image as a loyal colleague or friend can lead us to do the opposite.
The cost appears in the gap between what we say publicly and what we know privately. A leader who relies on that gap has less room to speak plainly or to be held accountable.
Authenticity asks us to notice where admiration is making the decision for us. Sometimes the courageous act is to risk looking less agreeable so that the relationship can hold a more honest conversation.