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For many years, I believed loyalty was the foundation of a strong workplace. I assumed that commitment, when sustained over time, would naturally lead to trust, recognition, and shared success.
For fifteen years, I arrived before most people and often remained long after the office had emptied. Late evenings became routine. Emails were answered at midnight. Problems were handled quietly so others would not be disturbed.
Over time, loyalty became assumed rather than appreciated. Expectations continued to rise, yet recognition never followed. What once felt meaningful slowly turned into imbalance.
Eventually, I realized that loyalty without boundaries creates risk—not for the organization, but for the individual. Dedication, when unrecognized, becomes a quiet cost paid alone.
A company can replace a role. It cannot replace fifteen years of someone’s life.