Faithfulness to a course, unwavering dedication and support
will ensure that a project is completed. More importantly,
relationships must be taken into consideration in every project.
The place of loyalty and trust in a relationship cannot be over
emphasized.

At every point in time, we look for someone we can confide
in. This could be a member of our family, a friend or a mentor.
We need someone we can trust, someone who is loyal and
will not give us up or turn against us. This one person knows
a lot about us and because of the trust we have in that
person, he is obligated to watch our back and be our trusted
or loyal companion.

About 2 years ago, I was invited by a recruiting company for
a test by one of their clients. I was excited and prepared for the
test. I arrived at the venue with other participants and completed
the registration process. We then went into the exam hall and
sat down for the paper. I still had no idea which company we
where being tested for. The organizers kept that information to
themselves.

We finished the exam and we were told that the results would
be out in an hour. In the interim, I met some friends from school
and we talked about the exam and life after school. In about an
hour, the results were out. Everyone was asked to go through the
list which was right in front of the hall each person wrote in. There
was also an instruction directing all successful candidates to the
venue for the interview.

I went to the hall where I sat for mine and I was successful. I was
happy and grateful to God for this. I then met my friends and told
them that I was successful after which I proceeded to the interview
venue. We were all given separate time to accommodate 12 people
in one hour. It was organized in the form of a group interview.

I was already exhausted at the time and found a place to at least
get a drink. I had the drink and a snack and went to wait for the
interview. The wait was long, however it finally came to our turn.
I went in and we were then given a group assignment, which we
were to carry out as a team. We started out and everyone put in
their own contribution to ensure success.

At the end of the exercise we went in to give the report on the
assignment we were given. We were then asked to pick a leader
which we did. After that we were asked to pick someone we
think should leave. At first we all kept silent and said we worked
as a team and everyone had a part to play. We were then asked
again because someone had to go.

The first person picked one of the guys, I cant remember his name
but I’ll call him Mr X. Mr X was then picked again by the second
person. At this point I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t want
to pick anyone. The third person to my surprise picked me. I was
speechless asking myself why? what did I do wrong. I played my
part like every other person. The next person also picked me. At
this point, I was angry and disappointed. I was the next to pick.

I had the option of picking that same guy so that I still have a
chance to stay depending on the remaining votes from those left.
It was a moment that was going to decide my future, “decision
determines destiny”. I told the interviewer that I voted myself out.
He looked at me and said,

“are you sure? Cos if you are, I don’t see what you are still doing
here. You can leave”

I immediately got my things together and left the office. I headed
straight for a bike and went straight home. I was short of words
asking myself so many questions. Did I do the right thing? How
else would I have handled the situation? I called my brother and
my mother to tell them the story of what happened. They lifted my
Spirit and told me the same thing,

“they eliminated you because you were better and therefore a threat
to them getting the job”

In my quiet time, I evaluated the situation and asked myself some
questions. Why eliminate people from an interview? That aside I
wondered why I didn’t pick someone else which is what I discovered
to be a major strength in me rather than a weakness. I believe in
being loyal and steadfast. My thoughts were simple, we worked as a
team and hence we should remain a team. I also did not like the idea
of leaving anyone behind in battle. I would rather take the fall.

I was loyal to the group. Did I feel betrayed? Yes I did. I might have
seen it from a wrong perspective, however I learnt a vital lesson that
day that I will never forget. I will be loyal and faithful in every relationship
I am involved in. I will not turn against someone who believes and trusts
me. Despite what happened on that day, I was not going to change what
I believed in and stood by. The test and interview has come and gone, but
the values that I exhibited then will remain and these values of loyalty and
trust have helped build me to the person I am today.