When Loyalty Is Bought, Not Earned

I once worked for a leader who could buy anyone’s loyalty. And I mean anyone.

Expensive gifts. All-expense-paid trips. Lavish team dinners. One time—I kid you not—two employees got the company logo tattooed on their bodies after a team-wide scavenger hunt.

Meanwhile, that same leader bullied the team regularly. Yelled in meetings. Undermined good ideas. Played favorites.

The perks were great. The culture was garbage. But people stayed. Begrudgingly.

Why? Because toxic loyalty feels safer than starting over. Because performative perks are easier to point to than actual well-being. Because we’ve normalized manipulation in the name of retention.

This is what happens when leadership is performative. When workplaces confuse treats with trust. When loyalty is expected, even when respect isn’t offered.

Happy Leaders know better. They don’t buy loyalty—they earn it.

Here’s how:

• They lead with consistency. Not charisma.

• They prioritize psychological safety. Not just swag.

• They create shared purpose. Not personal debt.

Because a ping pong table can’t fix a toxic boss. And a gift card won’t make up for a culture of fear.

If your team feels like they owe you, they’re not loyal. They’re trapped.

But when they feel seen, supported and safe? That’s when loyalty becomes real. And that’s where greatness begins.

Want to build a team that’s truly in it with you?

Start with The Happy Leader Playbook.