A Missing Virtue

Recognition and encouragement. That’s what’s missing in the workplace, family, church, and everyday interactions of life. No question.

But I have another one. Not better, worse or by any means a substitute. In fact, this one is usually a product of the others.

My mom was a high driver, dominant and very direct type of communicator. Those familiar with Everything DiSC would quickly put her in the strong “D” quadrant of the DiSC assessment. Which would be correct. I even told her one day; she argued. Well, you get it. Anyway, a high “D” has no less heart than anyone else, but sometimes they rub others, especially their “S” (more sensitive) counterparts, a little the wrong way. If you know it, you can work with it. My wife knew it and adjusted. It was tough when my mom would speak in a very direct, matter-of-fact way with Amy, but she knew my mom’s heart wasn’t accurately reflected in her initial perception of those words. My mom had heart. And something else.

Case in point. My wife came home from Boscov’s many years ago and shared a horrible customer service experience. Something about returning a pair of jeans that fell apart in a few weeks, and, after trying to return them, being personally and insensitively challenged by the customer service person and doing it somewhat publicly as well. My wife left, offended, furious. The best part: my mom was there to hear the story. Okay. The end.

Nope.

We found out from my mom that she paid a visit to the store the following day and had a high “D” conversation with the manager on my wife’s behalf. My mom, barely 4’7”, never backed down, especially when it came to family. She was fiercely loyal.

And that’s the word. Loyal.

My mom was loyal. We should be loyal. Loyalty goes a long way.

Are you loyal, always? Because anything but always is not loyal.