3 Ways to Create a Culture of Loyalty

I read an article recently about workplace cultures, and how 81% of workers indicated they were willing to leave their current position. When asked about the reasons for wanting to leave, they were incredibly enlightening:

• Lack of work-life balance
• Lack of flexible work schedule
• Lack of remote work options
• Lack of growth opportunities

At first, what stuck out to me was the perceived rigidness of their current places of employment. But then what stood out to me more was a lack of loyalty that feels ever-present in our current professional climate.

However, loyalty is something that can be cultivated and developed. It is entirely possible to increase the connection between you and your team and create a culture of loyalty.

How do we do it? I think there are three key steps:

1. DEMONSTRATING PERSONAL SELF-AWARENESS.

This might not feel applicable, but stay with me here: when we are self-aware and can demonstrate humility, authenticity, honesty, teachability, approachability and vulnerability, it sparks connection. And when we spark connection, we then get buy-in from those around us. By tapping into our own humanity with our teams, we quickly go from being a level-one leader (positional) to a level-two leader (permission).

2. EMPOWERING PEOPLE.

If a team member feels hamstrung by micro-management in everything they do, there will be zero sense of loyalty. But if they feel empowered in their work to take risks, develop ideas, and feel ownership, it cultivates loyalty to the work, the team, and the leader. How do you empower them? Model it for them—in the same way you model self-awareness, let them see how you feel empowered, then equip and develop them in the same way.

3. HAVING A CLEAR SENSE OF PURPOSE.

The younger generations just don’t feel loyalty toward their specific companies the way older generations did. Long gone are the days of remaining at one place for 20 or 30 years and retiring with a watch! But what these generations do feel loyalty toward is a sense of purpose in what they do, and loyalty to a sense of overall wellbeing and balance. If you can provide clarity of purpose in what they do, and not who they do it for, loyalty will take deep roots. Work that is substantial creates a team that is steadfast! And if you can help them feel an overall sense of wellbeing, they will remain loyal for far longer.

What are some ways you’ve been able to cultivate loyalty in your own organizations?

Looking for more tips on creating a thriving corporate culture?

Discover how the 5 Levels of Leadership can empower you to build a thriving culture, boost productivity, and foster exceptional engagement.

Bring our transformative full-day workshop to your organization to unlock a practical framework for shared leadership and trust within your team. Click here to learn how!