“When we are debating an issue, loyalty means giving me your honest opinion, whether you think I'll like it or not. Disagreement, at this stage, stimulates me. But once a decision has been made, the debate ends. From that point on, loyalty means executing the decision as if it were your own.”
— Colin Powell
Simplified Meaning:
Imagine you are part of a team working on a big project. When your team is discussing how to solve a problem, loyalty means being truthful and sharing your real thoughts, even if you think your boss might not like what you're saying. Honest opinions can lead to healthy debates, which can help find the best solution because different ideas are considered. However, after everyone has talked and a final decision is made, it's important to stop arguing and fully support the chosen plan. From that moment, being loyal means putting your effort into the plan as if it were your idea, to help the team succeed. For instance, if your team decides on a marketing strategy that you initially disagreed with, you should still work hard to make it successful once the decision is set.
