...also learned that loyalty and commitment are more valuable than brilliance While this was true in your circumstances, and some degree of loyalty and commitm

...also learned that loyalty and commitment are more valuable than brilliance While this was true in your circumstances, and some degree of loyalty and commitment are important, I don't agree that they are "more valueable" in general. For example for technical jobs, not everyone can learn them (or at least be good at them). It seems important to have people in the right places, that have already some vision and experience in their area.