Loyalty, Cooperation, Courage

All of my life I’ve had people who have invested their lives in mine. I guess as a result of that, I am constantly aware of my need to help build the lives of others. Therefore, it really is my goal to help build people and to help build people by helping to build their business. The best way to help people build their business is to instruct them on how to build the lives of those who work for or with them.

In light of that, I started yesterday to review some key characteristics that must be found in the lives of people who want to be successful not only in business, but in every area of their lives. We began with honesty, integrity, and leadership. Let me take just a moment today to look at three additional characteristics:

1. The characteristic of loyalty. This means to be faithful and to have allegiance. I think you will find that loyalty does not occur for an organization like it did some ten or even twenty years ago. Loyalty does occur toward people. Loyalty occurs because people have bought in to you and in to your vision. It is important because it brings consistency, efficiency, security, and opportunity.
2. The characteristic of cooperation. People in the business world today talk about being on the “team,” but the team cannot occur without cooperation. It is the spirit and action of working together toward a common goal.  Henry Ford said, “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” Another buzzword in the business world today is “networking.” But, there is no networking without cooperation. Remember this, cooperation with others is what wins hearts. Hearts that are won will lead to success, unity, and progress.
3. The characteristic of courage. Courage is that which enables you to face danger, trouble, and difficulty with the spirit of fearlessness. Andrew Jackson was elected President in 1828 after being a war hero in the war of 1812. He said, “One man with courage makes a majority.” Billy Graham adds, “Courage is contagious.” People respond to courageous leadership.
   

As I am reviewing these characteristics, I am not only reminded of biblical personalities that exemplify these, but also people that God has placed in my life today. You might want to do the same and go ahead and thank God for their influence upon your life.