When I first read an article on this question, it reminded me of situations I regularly encountered in the NHS Trust I worked. Senior management were deceitful in the returns they submitted to the department of health and the primary care trusts. Whatever our religious, moral or ethical beliefs we were required to go along with such deceit and misuse of public funds.

We watched with disbelief how those who raised dissenting voices lost their jobs in a restructuring exercise that followed or confronted with fabricated charges that led to their summary dismissal. Those that survived were constantly reminded of the need to abide by the confidentiality clause in their contract of employment. And those that compromised or were dishonest enough to assist in cooking the books were considered loyal and rewarded with promotion.

It does beg the question, which is the greater trait, loyalty or honesty?

It doesn’t take most people too long to realise you can be loyal without being honest. Yet history is rife with examples of people who were loyal when, honestly, they knew better. The most sensational example of this is, of course, the Nazi’s, but the concept hits a little closer to home than that.

Loyalty will always be valued over honesty by those in a position of authority (be it political, religious, secular businesses or social groups) simply because no one wants to be told they’re wrong. We instinctively and inherently resent honest notions that force us to justify ourselves. And so, our natural sense of values is topsy-turvy. Someone that’s loyal is seen as more valuable, more of a team player, more of an asset; while someone that’s honest is difficult, a trouble-maker.

Reality, of course, is just the opposite. The seemingly loyal devotee isn’t at all loyal. They’re dishonest; while the honest devotee is loyal to principle before position.

In a moment of madness that often confronts incompetent senior managers, they forget that the so called loyal devotee would without hesitation trade-in that loyalty the moment they realise the game is up for the senior managers.

If you find yourself in a position where you are challenged to be either loyal or honest, choose the tougher road less travelled and be honest.