There are exceptional loyalties and there are old fashion…
“There are exceptional loyalties and there are old fashion ideas about how you get loyalties, and after all the auditorium is full of people who have co-owned shares with the managers for many decades, and in many cases they co-invested when everyone was young and obscure. Also when you come back to a place like that you are celebrating old loyalties, and of course the basic idea behind so much of Berkshire is the old fashioned idea that the best way to get loyalty is to deserve loyalty.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Loyalty is earned by deserving it, not by old-fashioned tricks; long‑term co‑ownership builds genuine commitment.
In simple terms: Earn loyalty by being worthy, not by old ideas.
Key Takeaway
Act with integrity to merit loyalty.
Themes
loyalty
trust
long‑term relationships
leadership
integrity
Mood
respectful
reflective
strategic
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- corporate governance
- family business
- investment partnerships
- team building
Key Concepts
reciprocity
earned trust
stakeholder alignment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders continuously earn loyalty?
- What actions demonstrate deserving loyalty?
A Different Perspective
Loyalty can wane if performance declines despite past ties.