June 28, 2025 • 28 mins
Welcome to another powerful and thought-provoking episode of the Inspirations for Your Life Podcast! I’m your host, John C. Morley — Serial Entrepreneur and Podcast Coach. Today we’re diving deep into a timeless quality that shapes who we are and how we connect with others: Loyalty. In a world that often prioritizes convenience over commitment, true loyalty stands out like a beacon. Join me as we unpack what it really means to stand by others, especially during life’s hardest moments, and how loyalty transforms relationships, communities, and ultimately, ourselves.
1️⃣ Stand by others during challenges. Loyalty is tested not during easy times but when storms hit. It’s in those challenging moments that standing by others truly matters. When we show up and stay present for people navigating hardships, we become pillars of strength and reliability. This not only uplifts them but also defines our character. Loyalty means being that steady hand when others feel lost or overwhelmed.
2️⃣ Loyalty shows in difficult times. Talk is easy when everything’s going well — but loyalty is proven when times are tough. It’s during struggles that true colors emerge. Being loyal means showing up even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly. It’s about demonstrating through our actions that we value and honor our bonds no matter what.
3️⃣ True support doesn’t waver. Real loyalty is consistent. It doesn’t disappear when circumstances change or when relationships hit a rough patch. Instead, true support holds steady, reminding others they are not alone. When we stay rooted in loyalty, we become dependable allies who others can trust in any season.
4️⃣ Loyalty builds trust and respect. Loyalty is a foundation for genuine trust and deep respect. People remember those who stay by their side, and over time, this creates unbreakable bonds. When loyalty guides our actions, we cultivate relationships where mutual respect flourishes, and that respect strengthens both personal and professional connections.
5️⃣ Presence matters more than words. Loyalty isn’t about grand promises — it’s about showing up. Presence speaks louder than any words we could say. When we are physically or emotionally there for someone, especially during trials, we show loyalty through our quiet strength and commitment.
6️⃣ Hard moments reveal real loyalty. Challenges strip away the superficial and reveal what’s real. Hard moments act as a mirror, showing whether our loyalty is genuine. When we stay the course during adversity, we prove that our loyalty isn’t conditional or fleeting — it’s part of who we are.
7️⃣ Loyalty strengthens relationships. Loyalty is the glue that holds relationships together through ups and downs. Every time we choose to stay loyal, we deepen the connection. Over time, these loyal choices build relationships that are resilient, supportive, and enduring — the kind that stand the test of time.
🌟 Connect with me: 🌐 John C. Morley’s Website 📱 Instagram: JohnCMorleySerialEntrepreneur
🎧 Listen now: Inspirations for Your Life Podcast
#ElevateYourLife #PodcastWisdom #MindsetMatters #InspirationalStories #JohnCMorley #LoyaltyMatters
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:19):
Well, hey there everyone.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life.
This is Saturday.
It's June 22, 2025.
Incidentally, this is our last Saturday of June
2025.
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life show.
(00:39):
Great to be here.
If you guys are thirsty, well, feel free
to go get yourself something to drink or
something to eat.
Hot, cold, sweet, tart, healthy or not, it's
totally up to you.
Also, be sure to check out BelieveMeAchieve.com
for more of my amazing, inspiring creations, which
you can do 24 hours a day at
BelieveMeAchieve.com.
All right, guys, without any further ado, well,
(01:02):
it's time to, well, launch our master topic
for the week, and that is walking forward
with purpose, series four, show 27, episode number
one.
All right, guys, so welcome once again to
another powerful and thought-provoking episode of the
ever-popular Inspirations for Your Life podcast.
(01:23):
I'm your host, John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, podcast coach, video producer, engineer,
and a lot more, and tonight I'm diving
deep into timeless quality that shapes who we
are and how we connect with others.
I think that's a very important thing.
Loyalty in a world that often prioritizes convenience
over commitment.
(01:45):
True loyalty stands out like a beacon.
Join me as we unpack what it really
means to stand by others, especially during life's
hardest moments, and how loyalty transforms relationships, communities,
and ultimately, well, ourselves.
Are you ready?
Let's get started.
Number one, stand by others during challenges.
(02:08):
Loyalty is tested not during easy times, but
when storms arise or hit.
It's in these challenging moments that standing by
others truly matters.
When we show up and stay present for
people navigating hardships, we become, well, their rock,
a pillar of strength, and really strong reliability.
(02:32):
This not only uplifts them, but also defines
our character and who we are.
Loyalty means being that steady hand when others
feel lost or they're overwhelmed, and I think
this can be a challenge for a lot
of people, regardless of where they are in
life.
And so, number two, loyalty shows in difficult
(02:56):
times.
Talk is easy when everything's going well, right?
But loyalty is proven when times are tough.
It's during these moments of struggle that our
true colors actually emerge.
Being loyal means showing up, even when it's
inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly.
It's about demonstrating through our actions that we
(03:19):
value and honor our bonds, no matter what
that is, all right?
Number three, true support doesn't waver.
Real loyalty is consistent.
It doesn't disappear when circumstances change or when
relationships hit a rough patch.
Instead, true support holds steady, reminding others they
(03:42):
are not alone.
When we stay rooted in loyalty, we become
dependable, allies who others can trust in any
season of their lives.
Number four, loyalty builds trust, and yes, with
trust comes respect.
Loyalty is a foundation for genuine trust and
(04:02):
deep respect.
People remember those who stay by their side,
and over time, this creates unbreakable bonds.
When loyalty guides our actions, we cultivate relationships
where mutual respect flourishes, and that respect strengthens
both personal and professional connections.
I think it's important to understand what that
(04:23):
means and how we show up in the
world, because I think sometimes people in the
world, they don't necessarily know how to show
up or why to show up.
I think that could be a very, very
big challenge for a lot of people, so
make sure you understand that in your own
world.
Number five, guys, presence matters more than words.
(04:47):
Loyalty isn't about grand promises.
It's about showing up.
Presence speaks louder than any words we could
say.
When we are physically or emotionally there for
someone, especially during the trials and tribulations, we
show loyalty through our quiet strength and also
our commitment.
(05:08):
Sometimes, ladies and gentlemen, it's what we don't
say that actually supports someone.
Number six, ready?
Okay, number six is hard moments reveal real
loyalty.
Let me say that again.
Hard moments reveal real loyalty.
Challenges strip away the superficial and reveal what's
(05:29):
real.
Hard moments act as a mirror showing whether
our loyalty is genuine.
We stay the course during adversity.
We prove that our loyalty isn't conditional or
fleeting.
It's part of who we are, and that's
important to acknowledge and embrace.
Loyalty, guys, strengthens relationships.
(05:51):
Loyalty is the glue that holds relationships together
through the ups and the downs.
Every time we choose to stay loyal, we
deepen the connection.
Over time, these loyal choices build relationships that
are resilient, supportive, and enduring, the kind that
stand, as we say, the test of time.
And now, guys, here is, well, the whole
(06:12):
show is great, but here's the part of
the show that I like the most.
So what I'm going to do right now
is I'm going to give you a personal,
basically a personal, a personal, let's say, lesson
or a story, basically one for each point,
(06:33):
okay?
And so my hope is that by doing
this, I'm going to create a connection.
I'm going to get you to see that
this is more than just content.
This is something that really has the ability
to transform our lives.
But I think everyone gets so busy in
their life that they don't always have time
(06:55):
to transform because, you know, they've got their
own stuff.
And I get it, but I think it's
time that we do take that break, that
we do see what matters in others' lives,
all right?
So number one, stand by others during challenges.
This seems very easy, but it's not.
Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I had a
(07:18):
close friend who was going through a tough
time, losing his job and struggling with some
family issues.
Many people drifted away, but I made a
point to stay present, checking in regularly and
offering help whenever I could.
It wasn't about fixing his problem, but simply
being there as a steady presence.
That experience taught me that loyalty during hardship
(07:39):
isn't about grand gestures.
It's about consistent support and when it's convenient.
Now, the part I should tell you is
that I was there for that person, didn't
expect anything back.
And after I helped that person, that person
left me flat.
So that can happen sometimes, but that didn't
make me feel any worse for wanting to
(08:00):
help them.
I did what I needed, and that person
needed that help.
Unfortunately, that person was not the right fit
for me, and that happens.
But again, I never wish the person anything
bad.
It would have been nice if they were
still friends, but I understand that they were
not.
Being that steady hand during his storm not
only deepened our friendship, at least for time,
(08:22):
but then it broke away.
It shaped who I became, and then his
ideals and core values just flip-flopped.
He got in with the wrong crowd.
I realized that loyalty shows its true colors
when everything else seems to fall apart, even
when the other person becomes disloyal for whatever
reason.
(08:43):
Staying with others in their hardest moments builds
a foundation of trust that lasts far beyond
the crisis itself.
And I think what happened in his case
was that the crisis was too big.
And when I helped him come out of
it, it was like he really just wanted
to rebuild with people he didn't know.
And I never held anything against him, but
(09:05):
it was like now that I helped him
solve the problem, he wanted to basically start
off with all new friends, which I think
was terrible, but we did what we did.
Number two, guys, loyalty shows in difficult times.
I once worked with a business partner from
a company who faced serious health issues during
a critical project phase.
(09:27):
Many colleagues distanced themselves, but I chose to
step up, adjusting deadlines and sharing workloads to
ease the pressure.
It wasn't always easy balancing my own responsibilities
while supporting theirs, but I believed loyalty marked
a point showing up no matter what.
In these difficult times, I saw the real
value of loyalty emerge.
(09:48):
I think that's the most important thing.
This period tested my commitment and taught me
that loyalty is not just a word, but
it's a daily choice that we make, especially
when it's hard.
The experience strengthened our partnership and taught me
that true loyalty often means sacrifice.
Even though this person worked for another company,
I was able to make the schedule accommodate
(10:10):
them and allow them to still remain part
of the project when many other people would
have probably forced him to get out.
I realized that his personal challenges was not
a reason that he shouldn't be able to
complete the project, so we did everything we
could to make sure the project moved forward.
Number three, true support doesn't waver.
Sometimes people say, I'll support you today, but
(10:31):
I won't support you tomorrow.
In one of my early startups, still going
actually, I had a mentor who stuck by
me through repeated failures.
When others doubted my vision or walked away
from me, he remained a constant source of
(10:52):
encouragement and practical advice.
His unwavering support reminded me how powerful consistent
loyalty can be.
It wasn't just about cheering me on, but
being there steadily for me, even when results
weren't immediate or obvious.
I think that's the problem with some people
is that when they don't see the results
tomorrow, it's like they suddenly feel like, oh
(11:14):
my gosh, what do I do because I
don't have results today?
I think keeping your mentee on the field
is not easy, especially when there's lots of
reasons for them to want to give up.
I'll tell you that it's important.
(11:39):
It's important to understand that we have to
become that person, the person that we want
to be.
Even when times, guys, they're extremely tough.
They're extremely tough.
(12:01):
This kind of confidence and steadiness and loyalty
gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward
despite minor major setbacks that I still was
encountering.
It showed me that real support isn't conditional
on success.
It's about being present through every high and
low, almost like a friendship.
A friendship is not conditional.
(12:23):
When I was, I believe I was in
high school and I wrote a paper comparing
the street lamp versus friendship.
It was my first comparison paper, but it
meant a lot to me.
(12:44):
I think the reason that I wrote it
is I wanted people to understand that my
friendship was not conditional, unlike many people's was.
I talked about a street lamp and the
fact that in order for a street lamp
to go on, most traditional street lamps, you
need a few things.
You need a power.
You obviously need the bulb.
You need the lamp, but you needed it
(13:09):
to be dark.
This is work on a photo.
They would come on when it get dark
or dusk and go off when it would
become light, dawn or light.
I mentioned that these lights go on and
off, but they are conditional.
(13:29):
Friendship is not conditional.
If you have a friendship that's conditional, you
know what that means?
It means that there are things preventing things
from happening.
(13:49):
I know what you're probably saying.
I know you're saying, John, well, that was
an isolated case.
No, it wasn't.
I explained the difference of a light because
see some people in my high school, they
decided to flip on friendship whenever they needed
you or whenever they felt lonely, they just
decided to become the friend, but then when
(14:09):
they were too busy, they would just flip
it off.
I said, true friendship is not conditional, but
people that make friendship conditional are people you
don't want to be your lifelong friends.
That was the I got an A on
that paper.
Although I did, many people in my school
(14:30):
did not understand the meaning of that paper.
They didn't understand the reason that I wrote
it, the reason that I was a true
unconditional friend, but many people were conditional based
on what you did, what you said, what
money you had, what money you didn't have,
how you dressed that affected whether you were
(14:50):
friends or not, who you dated.
Number four, loyalty builds trust and respect.
Years ago, I had a team where one
member faced a personal crisis.
I chose to prioritize loyalty by adjusting expectations
and offering flexible support without any kind of
judgment.
Over time, this person, well, they became one
(15:12):
of our most dedicated and effective contributors.
The trust built through that loyalty deepened our
mutual respect and created a strong bond that
lasted well beyond the crisis.
This experience taught me that loyalty isn't just
an abstract idea, but a practical leadership tool.
When people feel genuinely supported and trusted, they
(15:36):
respond with respect and commitment.
Loyalty paves the way for relationships that fuel
both personal growth and professional growth.
I think that's something a lot of people
have a hard time, let's say, swallowing, and
that's the fact that there are personal friendships
and then there are also business friendships.
(15:59):
What's the difference?
Well, a personal friendship is there for you
so that you can learn about each other,
you can hang out, do things fun together,
right?
Build that friendship.
A business friendship has boundaries and that friendship
(16:20):
is more a relationship whereby it's existing for
the purposes of doing business.
Whether you're working with a new client, whether
it's somebody on your team, your sales team,
or management team, you're working so that you
can basically have the common good for all
concerned for the company.
(16:42):
There's no real interest in keeping the relationship
together for you as a person.
It's just for the company.
Now, sometimes business relationships can become personal, that
can happen, right?
And a personal relationship can become business, but
I think you've got to be careful when
you do that.
You've got to realize that you're not going
(17:03):
to let each other take advantage.
There could be that pro quo where I
do this for you, you got to do
this for me.
So you have to be careful when you
decide to do that.
Number five, guys, presence matters more than words.
And I know so many people that spend
hours trying to pick the right words, but
you know what happens?
Those words don't really mean anything to anybody,
(17:26):
don't mean anything, because they're just empty.
There's no heart, there's no soul, there's nothing
with that.
I remember attending a wake of a dear
friend who had supported me quietly over the
years.
(17:47):
During my own challenging times, he rarely said
much, but consistently showed up, whether it was
a call, a visit, or just sitting in
silence.
His presence was a profound form of loyalty
that words could never match.
That taught me that being physically and emotionally
present is one of the deepest expressions of
loyalty a person can have.
Since then, I've made a point to prioritize
(18:07):
presence in my relationships, whether it's with my
family, friends, or colleagues.
Showing up consistently, even when the words feel
inadequate, builds a silent strength that speaks volumes.
Presence is often the most meaningful way to
demonstrate loyalty.
And I think a lot of people miss
that.
The reason they miss that is they're looking
(18:30):
for something superficial.
Superficial is something that causes a lot of
people to be challenged.
Because they think that they're doing the right
thing, but in reality, they're not, guys.
They're not doing the right thing.
(18:50):
They are pretty much, well, giving you a
con job, right?
And I think that's important to realize is
that sometimes we get sidetracked because of a
(19:17):
misconception or because of a perception that someone
else gives something.
Remember we said this before, our perceptions create
our reality.
Let me say that again.
Our perceptions create our reality.
And if our perceptions truly create our reality,
then how do we move forward?
(19:39):
Well, I think the best way to move
forward is we have to understand that where
we are now is probably one of the
most important things, okay?
It's one of the most important things.
And when I say where we are, if
(20:03):
we don't know where we are, then we
can never get anywhere else.
So that sounds a little confusing, doesn't it?
How do we figure out where we are?
Well, we take a survey.
We figure out what's going on in our
life.
We figure out what makes us do something
(20:24):
a certain way.
What makes us respond, okay?
What makes us be part of something, okay?
What makes us be part of something?
And so making us part of something is
(20:48):
who we are, okay?
And by saying who we are, it aligns
with our goals, our aspirations, okay?
That's very, very important to understand, all right?
(21:08):
And by knowing that, I think it's important
to realize what it's about.
And it comes down to being who we
are, okay?
And that can be an issue.
(21:31):
And I think that's a challenge for a
lot of people, all right?
And so when I tell you that you
have to figure out who you are first,
now there's a lot of people in our
world that are going to try to tell
you that you've got to be a certain
(21:53):
way.
And I think the only way you've got
to be is the way that's best for
yourself.
That means you don't discriminate race, religion, orientation,
creed, color.
You're respectful of people.
It's okay to agree to disagree.
You don't have to like everybody, but you
need to be kind, courteous.
(22:16):
And you need to make sure you're not
making people feel, well, bad.
I think that's a really, really big challenge.
Got to make sure that you're not making
people feel bad.
And I'll tell you that it's important that
you understand this because once you understand who
(22:38):
you are, what you stand for, and what
motivates you, it's not only going to motivate
you more, but it's going to motivate others.
And that's going to help define your character.
Number six, hard moments reveal real loyalty.
(22:59):
During a difficult business failure, um, many so
-called friends, well, they disappeared, but a few
loyal individuals stayed with me through the fallout.
The painful experience was a reality check.
This happened right around storm Sandy.
Adversity ships away to surface and reveals who
truly stands by you.
(23:20):
I remember getting out of college and some
of my, um, close, um, high school buddies
would come over and say, Hey, I'm going
to take you on a date.
And then once let's say I got to
another level in my life, I was like,
not in their bracket.
Did I get higher than they were?
(23:42):
Yeah.
Was I nasty to them?
No, but we drifted apart because our core
values didn't align anymore.
Again, a painful experience, but it was a
reality check.
Again, adversity strips away the surface and reveals
who truly stands by you.
It showed me that loyalty isn't something to
(24:02):
expect lightly.
It's something earned and proven in hard times.
That period was a humbling, but also a
clarifying time for me.
Every shape, my understanding of loyalty as a
deep tested bond, not just as something convenient
or shared success from then on, I valued
relationships grounded in authentic loyalty that persists with
(24:25):
challenges.
That's important.
Number seven, loyalty strengthens relationships to my personal
life.
I've seen how repeated choices of loyalty strengthened
bonds with family and friends, even when disagreements
or difficulties arise, the decision to stay loyal
and work through the issues creates deeper connection
(24:46):
and trust.
These relationships become sources of joy and support
precisely because they've been tested and sustained over
time.
I've got to tell you that one of
the best ones I can give you is
a dog.
I don't have a dog, but I do
like animals.
Dogs are extremely loyal, whether it's getting you
your slippers, getting your paper, dogs are loyal
(25:08):
to you.
You do things for the dog, the dog's
always there for you.
And that dog has got a power.
I knew one dog that actually kept, let's
say, persistently, let's say nudging his owner.
(25:32):
And by doing that, that owner was still
alive today.
So I think those are remarkable things.
And I think you've got to be respectful
of pets, but pets do a lot for
people, their owners.
And you might say, John, how is that
possible?
(25:53):
Well, you give the pet shelter, you give
the pet food and water, you give the
pet love.
And pets really thrive on that.
You start loving the pet, that pet wants
to show you affection like 24 seven.
(26:13):
Now, some pets don't do this, I don't
get you wrong.
But I think it's really important to understand
how a dog is like man's best friend.
They don't discriminate.
All this has taught me that loyalty isn't
just a feeling anymore, but it's an ongoing
commitment.
Each time we choose loyalty over convenience, we
(26:34):
build relationships that can weather any storm and
grow stronger.
Loyalty is that hidden glue that transforms acquaintances
into lifelong allies.
But then why, John, are some people not
my friends, even though I've done a lot
for them?
Well, some people were never going to be
your friend.
I'm sorry to say that, they just were
never going to be your friend.
(26:54):
They were there for, well, convenience.
They were looking to see what you could
do for them, what you could give them,
how you could help them.
I've had those people.
And I've learned that you don't start being
loyal to people and committing to people until
there's some give and take.
(27:14):
I've had people that I helped get a
job and then they suddenly disappear off the
earth.
They get married and I don't hear from
them anymore and not even a thank you.
That's okay.
It's taught me that you have to be,
say, a little bit stingy on who you're
(27:35):
giving your true friendship to.
Acquaintanceship goes to everybody, right?
But when you talk about true friendship, that
weathers any storm, you don't just give that
out like candy or lemonade.
Right?
That's something that you're giving to people who
are giving back to you.
(27:55):
And although it's unconditional, you don't keep giving
it if it's not a two-way street.
Does that make sense?
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, a serial
entrepreneur.
Thank you so much for tuning in tonight
for our brand new master topic.
Do check out believemeachief.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
Remember everyone, let's all walk forward with purpose,
which is what we're going to do this
week.
(28:15):
Have a great night, everyone.
Well, hey there everyone.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life.
This is Saturday.
It's June 22, 2025.
Incidentally, this is our last Saturday of June
2025.
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life show.
(00:39):
Great to be here.
If you guys are thirsty, well, feel free
to go get yourself something to drink or
something to eat.
Hot, cold, sweet, tart, healthy or not, it's
totally up to you.
Also, be sure to check out BelieveMeAchieve.com
for more of my amazing, inspiring creations, which
you can do 24 hours a day at
BelieveMeAchieve.com.
All right, guys, without any further ado, well,
(01:02):
it's time to, well, launch our master topic
for the week, and that is walking forward
with purpose, series four, show 27, episode number
one.
All right, guys, so welcome once again to
another powerful and thought-provoking episode of the
ever-popular Inspirations for Your Life podcast.
(01:23):
I'm your host, John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, podcast coach, video producer, engineer,
and a lot more, and tonight I'm diving
deep into timeless quality that shapes who we
are and how we connect with others.
I think that's a very important thing.
Loyalty in a world that often prioritizes convenience
over commitment.
(01:45):
True loyalty stands out like a beacon.
Join me as we unpack what it really
means to stand by others, especially during life's
hardest moments, and how loyalty transforms relationships, communities,
and ultimately, well, ourselves.
Are you ready?
Let's get started.
Number one, stand by others during challenges.
(02:08):
Loyalty is tested not during easy times, but
when storms arise or hit.
It's in these challenging moments that standing by
others truly matters.
When we show up and stay present for
people navigating hardships, we become, well, their rock,
a pillar of strength, and really strong reliability.
(02:32):
This not only uplifts them, but also defines
our character and who we are.
Loyalty means being that steady hand when others
feel lost or they're overwhelmed, and I think
this can be a challenge for a lot
of people, regardless of where they are in
life.
And so, number two, loyalty shows in difficult
(02:56):
times.
Talk is easy when everything's going well, right?
But loyalty is proven when times are tough.
It's during these moments of struggle that our
true colors actually emerge.
Being loyal means showing up, even when it's
inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly.
It's about demonstrating through our actions that we
(03:19):
value and honor our bonds, no matter what
that is, all right?
Number three, true support doesn't waver.
Real loyalty is consistent.
It doesn't disappear when circumstances change or when
relationships hit a rough patch.
Instead, true support holds steady, reminding others they
(03:42):
are not alone.
When we stay rooted in loyalty, we become
dependable, allies who others can trust in any
season of their lives.
Number four, loyalty builds trust, and yes, with
trust comes respect.
Loyalty is a foundation for genuine trust and
(04:02):
deep respect.
People remember those who stay by their side,
and over time, this creates unbreakable bonds.
When loyalty guides our actions, we cultivate relationships
where mutual respect flourishes, and that respect strengthens
both personal and professional connections.
I think it's important to understand what that
(04:23):
means and how we show up in the
world, because I think sometimes people in the
world, they don't necessarily know how to show
up or why to show up.
I think that could be a very, very
big challenge for a lot of people, so
make sure you understand that in your own
world.
Number five, guys, presence matters more than words.
(04:47):
Loyalty isn't about grand promises.
It's about showing up.
Presence speaks louder than any words we could
say.
When we are physically or emotionally there for
someone, especially during the trials and tribulations, we
show loyalty through our quiet strength and also
our commitment.
(05:08):
Sometimes, ladies and gentlemen, it's what we don't
say that actually supports someone.
Number six, ready?
Okay, number six is hard moments reveal real
loyalty.
Let me say that again.
Hard moments reveal real loyalty.
Challenges strip away the superficial and reveal what's
(05:29):
real.
Hard moments act as a mirror showing whether
our loyalty is genuine.
We stay the course during adversity.
We prove that our loyalty isn't conditional or
fleeting.
It's part of who we are, and that's
important to acknowledge and embrace.
Loyalty, guys, strengthens relationships.
(05:51):
Loyalty is the glue that holds relationships together
through the ups and the downs.
Every time we choose to stay loyal, we
deepen the connection.
Over time, these loyal choices build relationships that
are resilient, supportive, and enduring, the kind that
stand, as we say, the test of time.
And now, guys, here is, well, the whole
(06:12):
show is great, but here's the part of
the show that I like the most.
So what I'm going to do right now
is I'm going to give you a personal,
basically a personal, a personal, let's say, lesson
or a story, basically one for each point,
(06:33):
okay?
And so my hope is that by doing
this, I'm going to create a connection.
I'm going to get you to see that
this is more than just content.
This is something that really has the ability
to transform our lives.
But I think everyone gets so busy in
their life that they don't always have time
(06:55):
to transform because, you know, they've got their
own stuff.
And I get it, but I think it's
time that we do take that break, that
we do see what matters in others' lives,
all right?
So number one, stand by others during challenges.
This seems very easy, but it's not.
Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I had a
(07:18):
close friend who was going through a tough
time, losing his job and struggling with some
family issues.
Many people drifted away, but I made a
point to stay present, checking in regularly and
offering help whenever I could.
It wasn't about fixing his problem, but simply
being there as a steady presence.
That experience taught me that loyalty during hardship
(07:39):
isn't about grand gestures.
It's about consistent support and when it's convenient.
Now, the part I should tell you is
that I was there for that person, didn't
expect anything back.
And after I helped that person, that person
left me flat.
So that can happen sometimes, but that didn't
make me feel any worse for wanting to
(08:00):
help them.
I did what I needed, and that person
needed that help.
Unfortunately, that person was not the right fit
for me, and that happens.
But again, I never wish the person anything
bad.
It would have been nice if they were
still friends, but I understand that they were
not.
Being that steady hand during his storm not
only deepened our friendship, at least for time,
(08:22):
but then it broke away.
It shaped who I became, and then his
ideals and core values just flip-flopped.
He got in with the wrong crowd.
I realized that loyalty shows its true colors
when everything else seems to fall apart, even
when the other person becomes disloyal for whatever
reason.
(08:43):
Staying with others in their hardest moments builds
a foundation of trust that lasts far beyond
the crisis itself.
And I think what happened in his case
was that the crisis was too big.
And when I helped him come out of
it, it was like he really just wanted
to rebuild with people he didn't know.
And I never held anything against him, but
(09:05):
it was like now that I helped him
solve the problem, he wanted to basically start
off with all new friends, which I think
was terrible, but we did what we did.
Number two, guys, loyalty shows in difficult times.
I once worked with a business partner from
a company who faced serious health issues during
a critical project phase.
(09:27):
Many colleagues distanced themselves, but I chose to
step up, adjusting deadlines and sharing workloads to
ease the pressure.
It wasn't always easy balancing my own responsibilities
while supporting theirs, but I believed loyalty marked
a point showing up no matter what.
In these difficult times, I saw the real
value of loyalty emerge.
(09:48):
I think that's the most important thing.
This period tested my commitment and taught me
that loyalty is not just a word, but
it's a daily choice that we make, especially
when it's hard.
The experience strengthened our partnership and taught me
that true loyalty often means sacrifice.
Even though this person worked for another company,
I was able to make the schedule accommodate
(10:10):
them and allow them to still remain part
of the project when many other people would
have probably forced him to get out.
I realized that his personal challenges was not
a reason that he shouldn't be able to
complete the project, so we did everything we
could to make sure the project moved forward.
Number three, true support doesn't waver.
Sometimes people say, I'll support you today, but
(10:31):
I won't support you tomorrow.
In one of my early startups, still going
actually, I had a mentor who stuck by
me through repeated failures.
When others doubted my vision or walked away
from me, he remained a constant source of
(10:52):
encouragement and practical advice.
His unwavering support reminded me how powerful consistent
loyalty can be.
It wasn't just about cheering me on, but
being there steadily for me, even when results
weren't immediate or obvious.
I think that's the problem with some people
is that when they don't see the results
tomorrow, it's like they suddenly feel like, oh
(11:14):
my gosh, what do I do because I
don't have results today?
I think keeping your mentee on the field
is not easy, especially when there's lots of
reasons for them to want to give up.
I'll tell you that it's important.
(11:39):
It's important to understand that we have to
become that person, the person that we want
to be.
Even when times, guys, they're extremely tough.
They're extremely tough.
(12:01):
This kind of confidence and steadiness and loyalty
gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward
despite minor major setbacks that I still was
encountering.
It showed me that real support isn't conditional
on success.
It's about being present through every high and
low, almost like a friendship.
A friendship is not conditional.
(12:23):
When I was, I believe I was in
high school and I wrote a paper comparing
the street lamp versus friendship.
It was my first comparison paper, but it
meant a lot to me.
(12:44):
I think the reason that I wrote it
is I wanted people to understand that my
friendship was not conditional, unlike many people's was.
I talked about a street lamp and the
fact that in order for a street lamp
to go on, most traditional street lamps, you
need a few things.
You need a power.
You obviously need the bulb.
You need the lamp, but you needed it
(13:09):
to be dark.
This is work on a photo.
They would come on when it get dark
or dusk and go off when it would
become light, dawn or light.
I mentioned that these lights go on and
off, but they are conditional.
(13:29):
Friendship is not conditional.
If you have a friendship that's conditional, you
know what that means?
It means that there are things preventing things
from happening.
(13:49):
I know what you're probably saying.
I know you're saying, John, well, that was
an isolated case.
No, it wasn't.
I explained the difference of a light because
see some people in my high school, they
decided to flip on friendship whenever they needed
you or whenever they felt lonely, they just
decided to become the friend, but then when
(14:09):
they were too busy, they would just flip
it off.
I said, true friendship is not conditional, but
people that make friendship conditional are people you
don't want to be your lifelong friends.
That was the I got an A on
that paper.
Although I did, many people in my school
(14:30):
did not understand the meaning of that paper.
They didn't understand the reason that I wrote
it, the reason that I was a true
unconditional friend, but many people were conditional based
on what you did, what you said, what
money you had, what money you didn't have,
how you dressed that affected whether you were
(14:50):
friends or not, who you dated.
Number four, loyalty builds trust and respect.
Years ago, I had a team where one
member faced a personal crisis.
I chose to prioritize loyalty by adjusting expectations
and offering flexible support without any kind of
judgment.
Over time, this person, well, they became one
(15:12):
of our most dedicated and effective contributors.
The trust built through that loyalty deepened our
mutual respect and created a strong bond that
lasted well beyond the crisis.
This experience taught me that loyalty isn't just
an abstract idea, but a practical leadership tool.
When people feel genuinely supported and trusted, they
(15:36):
respond with respect and commitment.
Loyalty paves the way for relationships that fuel
both personal growth and professional growth.
I think that's something a lot of people
have a hard time, let's say, swallowing, and
that's the fact that there are personal friendships
and then there are also business friendships.
(15:59):
What's the difference?
Well, a personal friendship is there for you
so that you can learn about each other,
you can hang out, do things fun together,
right?
Build that friendship.
A business friendship has boundaries and that friendship
(16:20):
is more a relationship whereby it's existing for
the purposes of doing business.
Whether you're working with a new client, whether
it's somebody on your team, your sales team,
or management team, you're working so that you
can basically have the common good for all
concerned for the company.
(16:42):
There's no real interest in keeping the relationship
together for you as a person.
It's just for the company.
Now, sometimes business relationships can become personal, that
can happen, right?
And a personal relationship can become business, but
I think you've got to be careful when
you do that.
You've got to realize that you're not going
(17:03):
to let each other take advantage.
There could be that pro quo where I
do this for you, you got to do
this for me.
So you have to be careful when you
decide to do that.
Number five, guys, presence matters more than words.
And I know so many people that spend
hours trying to pick the right words, but
you know what happens?
Those words don't really mean anything to anybody,
(17:26):
don't mean anything, because they're just empty.
There's no heart, there's no soul, there's nothing
with that.
I remember attending a wake of a dear
friend who had supported me quietly over the
years.
(17:47):
During my own challenging times, he rarely said
much, but consistently showed up, whether it was
a call, a visit, or just sitting in
silence.
His presence was a profound form of loyalty
that words could never match.
That taught me that being physically and emotionally
present is one of the deepest expressions of
loyalty a person can have.
Since then, I've made a point to prioritize
(18:07):
presence in my relationships, whether it's with my
family, friends, or colleagues.
Showing up consistently, even when the words feel
inadequate, builds a silent strength that speaks volumes.
Presence is often the most meaningful way to
demonstrate loyalty.
And I think a lot of people miss
that.
The reason they miss that is they're looking
(18:30):
for something superficial.
Superficial is something that causes a lot of
people to be challenged.
Because they think that they're doing the right
thing, but in reality, they're not, guys.
They're not doing the right thing.
(18:50):
They are pretty much, well, giving you a
con job, right?
And I think that's important to realize is
that sometimes we get sidetracked because of a
(19:17):
misconception or because of a perception that someone
else gives something.
Remember we said this before, our perceptions create
our reality.
Let me say that again.
Our perceptions create our reality.
And if our perceptions truly create our reality,
then how do we move forward?
(19:39):
Well, I think the best way to move
forward is we have to understand that where
we are now is probably one of the
most important things, okay?
It's one of the most important things.
And when I say where we are, if
(20:03):
we don't know where we are, then we
can never get anywhere else.
So that sounds a little confusing, doesn't it?
How do we figure out where we are?
Well, we take a survey.
We figure out what's going on in our
life.
We figure out what makes us do something
(20:24):
a certain way.
What makes us respond, okay?
What makes us be part of something, okay?
What makes us be part of something?
And so making us part of something is
(20:48):
who we are, okay?
And by saying who we are, it aligns
with our goals, our aspirations, okay?
That's very, very important to understand, all right?
(21:08):
And by knowing that, I think it's important
to realize what it's about.
And it comes down to being who we
are, okay?
And that can be an issue.
(21:31):
And I think that's a challenge for a
lot of people, all right?
And so when I tell you that you
have to figure out who you are first,
now there's a lot of people in our
world that are going to try to tell
you that you've got to be a certain
(21:53):
way.
And I think the only way you've got
to be is the way that's best for
yourself.
That means you don't discriminate race, religion, orientation,
creed, color.
You're respectful of people.
It's okay to agree to disagree.
You don't have to like everybody, but you
need to be kind, courteous.
(22:16):
And you need to make sure you're not
making people feel, well, bad.
I think that's a really, really big challenge.
Got to make sure that you're not making
people feel bad.
And I'll tell you that it's important that
you understand this because once you understand who
(22:38):
you are, what you stand for, and what
motivates you, it's not only going to motivate
you more, but it's going to motivate others.
And that's going to help define your character.
Number six, hard moments reveal real loyalty.
(22:59):
During a difficult business failure, um, many so
-called friends, well, they disappeared, but a few
loyal individuals stayed with me through the fallout.
The painful experience was a reality check.
This happened right around storm Sandy.
Adversity ships away to surface and reveals who
truly stands by you.
(23:20):
I remember getting out of college and some
of my, um, close, um, high school buddies
would come over and say, Hey, I'm going
to take you on a date.
And then once let's say I got to
another level in my life, I was like,
not in their bracket.
Did I get higher than they were?
(23:42):
Yeah.
Was I nasty to them?
No, but we drifted apart because our core
values didn't align anymore.
Again, a painful experience, but it was a
reality check.
Again, adversity strips away the surface and reveals
who truly stands by you.
It showed me that loyalty isn't something to
(24:02):
expect lightly.
It's something earned and proven in hard times.
That period was a humbling, but also a
clarifying time for me.
Every shape, my understanding of loyalty as a
deep tested bond, not just as something convenient
or shared success from then on, I valued
relationships grounded in authentic loyalty that persists with
(24:25):
challenges.
That's important.
Number seven, loyalty strengthens relationships to my personal
life.
I've seen how repeated choices of loyalty strengthened
bonds with family and friends, even when disagreements
or difficulties arise, the decision to stay loyal
and work through the issues creates deeper connection
(24:46):
and trust.
These relationships become sources of joy and support
precisely because they've been tested and sustained over
time.
I've got to tell you that one of
the best ones I can give you is
a dog.
I don't have a dog, but I do
like animals.
Dogs are extremely loyal, whether it's getting you
your slippers, getting your paper, dogs are loyal
(25:08):
to you.
You do things for the dog, the dog's
always there for you.
And that dog has got a power.
I knew one dog that actually kept, let's
say, persistently, let's say nudging his owner.
(25:32):
And by doing that, that owner was still
alive today.
So I think those are remarkable things.
And I think you've got to be respectful
of pets, but pets do a lot for
people, their owners.
And you might say, John, how is that
possible?
(25:53):
Well, you give the pet shelter, you give
the pet food and water, you give the
pet love.
And pets really thrive on that.
You start loving the pet, that pet wants
to show you affection like 24 seven.
(26:13):
Now, some pets don't do this, I don't
get you wrong.
But I think it's really important to understand
how a dog is like man's best friend.
They don't discriminate.
All this has taught me that loyalty isn't
just a feeling anymore, but it's an ongoing
commitment.
Each time we choose loyalty over convenience, we
(26:34):
build relationships that can weather any storm and
grow stronger.
Loyalty is that hidden glue that transforms acquaintances
into lifelong allies.
But then why, John, are some people not
my friends, even though I've done a lot
for them?
Well, some people were never going to be
your friend.
I'm sorry to say that, they just were
never going to be your friend.
(26:54):
They were there for, well, convenience.
They were looking to see what you could
do for them, what you could give them,
how you could help them.
I've had those people.
And I've learned that you don't start being
loyal to people and committing to people until
there's some give and take.
(27:14):
I've had people that I helped get a
job and then they suddenly disappear off the
earth.
They get married and I don't hear from
them anymore and not even a thank you.
That's okay.
It's taught me that you have to be,
say, a little bit stingy on who you're
(27:35):
giving your true friendship to.
Acquaintanceship goes to everybody, right?
But when you talk about true friendship, that
weathers any storm, you don't just give that
out like candy or lemonade.
Right?
That's something that you're giving to people who
are giving back to you.
(27:55):
And although it's unconditional, you don't keep giving
it if it's not a two-way street.
Does that make sense?
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, a serial
entrepreneur.
Thank you so much for tuning in tonight
for our brand new master topic.
Do check out believemeachief.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
Remember everyone, let's all walk forward with purpose,
which is what we're going to do this
week.
(28:15):
Have a great night, everyone.
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