A step by step tool for top achievers

Step 17: Be Dependable and Practice Loyalty
The old adage, "an ounce of loyalty is worth more than a pound of cleverness," is
universal and eternal.
Ability is important but dependability is crucial. If you have someone with all the ability but
if he is not dependable, do you want him as part of your team? No, not at all.
I KNEW YOU WOULD COME

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There were two childhood buddies who went through school and college and even joined
the army together. War broke out and they were fighting in the same unit. One night they
were ambushed. Bullets were flying all over and out of the darkness came a voice,
"Harry, please come and help me." Harry immediately recognized the voice of his
childhood buddy, Bill. He asked the captain if he could go. The captain said, "No, I can't
let you go, I am already short-handed and I cannot afford to lose one more person.
Besides, the way Bill sounds he is not going to make it." Harry kept quiet. Again the voice
came, "Harry, please come and help me." Harry sat quietly because the captain had
refused earlier. Again and again the voice came. Harry couldn't contain himself any
longer and told the captain, "Captain, this is my childhood buddy. I have to go and help."
The captain reluctantly let him go. Harry crawled through the darkness and dragged Bill
back into the trench. They found that Bill was dead. Now the captain got angry and
shouted at Harry, "Didn't I tell you he was not going to make it? He is dead, you could
have been killed and I could have lost a hand. That was a mistake." Harry replied,
"Captain, I did the right thing. When I reached Bill he was still alive and his last words
were 'Harry, I knew you would come."'
Good relationships are hard to find and once developed should be nurtured.
We are often told: Live your dream. But you cannot live your dream at the expense of
others. People who do so are unscrupulous. We need to make personal sacrifices for our
family, friends, and those we care about and who depend on us.