Blind loyalty can lead people to take excessive risks. Let’s discuss the costs of blind loyalty.
Speaking the Truth to Power
What happens when a leader demands he or she be given absolute authority?
Worse yet, what if those around the leader never challenge that leader?
You should expect chaos when no one is willing to speak the truth to power, thus to face up to that leader. Moreover, there’s a diminished chance of accountability if the out-of-control leader is also vindictive.
When it’s all about blind loyalty to the leader it will quickly become all about short-term chaos followed by long-term failure! proverbsforprofessionals.net
A Careless Comment
Step back from the demand for unquestioned authority.
What if the leader is prone to making careless, or poorly-considered statements?
We still can have destructive outcomes if followers act on the leader’s half-baked, irrational, or illegal suggestions!
Remember, rewriting history or inaccurately framing reality may change the dialog, but that will never change the truth! proverbsforprofessionals.net
The Precept
In Second Samuel 23.13-17 we read a story about David. He was on the run, under pressure from his enemies.
He carelessly expressed a desire, verse 15. Three of his close associates took an extreme risk to deliver David’s desire, verse 16. Afterward, David acknowledged the risk, verse 17.
This brief incident pairs a leader’s careless comment with blind loyalty by several followers. In short, they risked a lot to gain a little! The three were unharmed, but the outcome could have been deadly.
As such, the costs of blind loyalty are severe!
Apply This Today!
Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it! Our careless words can damage relationships or cause other serious problems.
We should be especially careful about public statements when facing a personal or an organizational crisis. Those around us are feeling the same pressure, thus may respond in ways we don’t expect.
Certainly you recognize that chaos doesn’t produce sound decisions when no one is able or willing to speak the truth to power.