Bruce Allen, over at Marketing Catalyst, responded to a recent post of mine commenting on a post of his (that's how this blog thing works). I always read Bruce's blog because, like me, he's a marketing director for a professional services firm. He works for a law firm (Rutan & Tucker) and I work for a business valuation firm yet many of the issues we face are similar.
In my recent post, I quoted Bruce:
Do well at your work and do better at your relationships. Loyalty only knows two extremes; We are loyal to our friends and we are loyal about our enemies. Everyone else does not matter.
I then asked what does "we are loyal about our enemies" mean? Bruce clarified:
Let me explain the statement with an example. I watch a lot of NASCAR and of course have a favorite driver (Jeff Gordon and any other car driving for Rick Hendricks). I also have drivers I villainize. In fact, I am so loyal to them as villains I can find evil even when they so something good. To be nice the villains will remain nameless.
"Loyalty" is a word that can swing both positive and negative. It simply points to a concerted dedication. So, when I say, "Loyalty only knows two extremes; We are loyal to our friends and we are loyal about our enemies. Everyone else does not matter" I am pointing at what we are dedicated to. Both tag our passion to act in belief.
Thanks Bruce. I needed that.
Barbara, you are a class act and I thank you for posting my clarification. Keep keeping all of us on our toes. ~ Bruce
Posted by: Bruce Allen | April 03, 2007 at 09:16 PM