Jarien Skywall

The Illusion of Loyalty: A Wake-Up Call for Artists and writers . In the corporate world, loyalty is often a one-sided illusion. Most companies operate not as communities, but as profit-driven machines—greedy engines fueled by productivity and performance metrics. They smile to your face, speak of “team spirit” and “family,” but behind closed doors, they treat you like a replaceable part. The moment your output dips, or your cost rises, the warmth vanishes. Concern becomes calculation. You’re no longer a person—they see you as a liability. This isn’t bitterness...It’s clarity and will help you going forward. After decades of dedication—20-30 years of showing up, delivering, sacrificing and so on, it becomes painfully clear: age doesn’t determine your worth in their eyes though it does play a part for some. Value is measured in dollars, not wisdom. The respect you’ve earned is conditional, and the moment your price tag outweighs your perceived utility, the game changes. They’ll play nice, flatter you, pretend to care—but they’ll sell you out in a heartbeat to protect their own position. And yet, understanding this is not defeat. It’s liberation. Once you see through the facade, you stop wasting energy on misplaced loyalty. You stop trying to win favor in a system that was never built to honor you. You start focusing on what truly matters to you- your work, your craft, your audience. The people who read and buy your work, who resonate with your message, who find value in what you create—they are your true supporters. Not the middle managers. Not the executives. Not the corporate ladder. This shift in mindset these days is especially vital for artists. Too often, creatives are taught to be grateful for any opportunity, to bend for exposure, to accept crumbs in exchange for visibility. But here’s the truth-your art is not a favor. It’s a product of your soul, your labor, your years of experience. You owe no blind allegiance to anyone who doesn’t respect that. I think understanding all of this is clear. Be friendly, do great work, deliver it on time, do not bad mouth others, but lower those expectations and support those like you stepping out doing their own thing, because in the end, that has to be a constant. It's why I do my kickstarters and I am my own boss whenever I can be. I do both, corporate work and my own- but I have no illusions about the system...and knowing this is a freedom in itself to follow. Thanks for listening.