“While I live, I shall be your friend.”
– John Adams, to Thomas Jefferson
It’s not like these words were spoken between men who’d been life-long buddies. It’s not like these two sought out weekends to go the The Cape with their wives, or that they even enjoyed one another’s company. In fact, Adams thought Jefferson was a spend-thrift dreamer who talked too much and cavorted socially in a way that made Adams’ skin crawl. On the other side, Jefferson thought Adams a tightwad, puritan, socially constipated old timer. History shows us that those assessments were pretty accurate. History also shows us that these two dudes pretty much led the establishment of the greatest nation on earth.
Because while they might not have had affection for each other, or admiration for each other’s methods, what they did have, was trust between and respect for one another. Jefferson’s gift as an orator / writer gave personality and passion to Adams’ strategic wizardry and deep intellect. Adams’ pragmatism gave depth to Jefferson’s oration and writings. Trust and respect, all the while driving each other nuts!
We’ve all worked with colleagues with which social time was something that we just couldn’t fathom. With that “jerk” or “dope” that was always getting in our way and just wouldn’t shut up. With that guy that slowed us down or tried to go too fast. Effectively, we’ve all worked with someone that drove us bat poop crazy.
Odds are, somewhere, right now, someone is thinking of us in the same terms. And, history may show us that our assessment of them and theirs of us are pretty accurate. But, if we accomplished something meaningful together, while we live, we should be friends. Loyal friends, even if the standard accoutrements of friendship are not evident.
Loyalty to family is a given. Loyalty to friends is, too.
When we deploy old school loyalty to colleagues the way Adams did to Jefferson — based on an outcome that made a difference, we raise the bar. We lead by example. We move the needle. We pave the way for the leaders that come behind us.
Old school.
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