Loyalty to Your Growth Comes First: What Are You Building for You?
We talk a lot about loyalty in the workplace.
Loyalty to your team.
Loyalty to your manager.
Loyalty to the mission.
But what about loyalty to yourself?
Here’s something I’ve seen time and time again: smart, capable professionals showing up consistently for their employer—pouring time, energy, and creativity into their work—but never carving out the same kind of time for their own development.
And let me be clear, this isn’t about being selfish or detached. It’s about being strategic.
Because the truth is, you can be loyal to your job and committed to your own growth at the same time. But when one starts to take up all the space, that’s when your career begins to feel stuck.
So here’s the question I want you to sit with:
What are you building for you?
You block time for meetings, reports, performance reviews—but have you blocked time to…
Update your resume or portfolio?
Take a course or certification that aligns with your next move?
Build out your personal brand online?
Explore an idea, business, or passion project that excites you?
Loyalty to your growth means prioritizing yourself with the same energy you pour into your employer. Because the relationship with your company can change at any time—reorgs, layoffs, new leadership, shifting budgets. You’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it.
But your relationship with yourself? That’s the one you’re in for life.
Imagine if you promoted yourself the way you promote the company you work for.
If you shared your insights, your perspective, your expertise—publicly.
If you advocated for your own development the same way you advocate for your team.
You’re already doing the work. Don’t let that energy only benefit the brand you work for.
Let it build something that belongs to you.
Because your company’s name might impress someone in the moment.
But your brand—that’s what leaves a lasting impact.
This is Blog Post #3 in our 5-part series based on Tip #57 from Career Gymnastics.
Next up, we’ll talk about how to start making intentional decisions that align with your brand—so you’re not just building a resume, you’re building a reputation.
If you’re ready to go deeper, grab your copy of Career Gymnastics—available wherever books are sold.
#CareerGymnastics #LoyaltyToSelf #ProfessionalGrowth #OwnYourCareer #CareerDevelopment