Employee identification means recognizing oneself in the task, the work or the values of the company. Identification is also often described as the "bond" between employee and employer, which brings about a positive attitude and a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.
The most loyal employees are those who are wholeheartedly involved and who identify with the company. But what does that mean? According to Simon Sinek, these are those employees "who see themselves or their work as a reflection of what the company and they themselves stand for." Employees with a high level of identification therefore experience themselves as part of the big picture. Company goals are not only supported, but also understood as their own.
A company that has a high level of employee identification benefits in many ways. For one thing, employees with a high level of identification tend to be more motivated, which translates into greater willingness to perform and productivity. They are also more willing to put in extra effort to contribute to the company's success. Secondly, employees with a high level of identification are often also better able to communicate with customers and other stakeholders and to represent the company's image in a positive way.
Identification with what?
Many employeesidentify withtheirjob, butnotnecessarily with theemployer. Theymay becompletelyabsorbed intheir job,passionateaboutit andidentify with theactivity,even thoughthey donothaveastrongbond withthecompany. Insuchcases,theemployerbenefits from theemployee 'sattitude, but theloyaltyis to the job,not to thecompany. So how do employees succeed in identifying with a company?
What you can do as an employer
There are some steps you can take to strengthen identification with your company:
- Positioning and clear goals: Employees need a clear idea of what the company is about and what its goals are. Clear and credible commitments are crucial for gaining the trust of employees and conveying a sense of belonging.
- Appreciation and recognition: An important factor in employee identification is the feeling of being valued and recognized. Companies should therefore regularly provide positive feedback and recognize the achievements of their employees.
- Workplace culture: A positive and supportive workplace culture also contributes to identification.
- Career opportunities: Employees who have the opportunity to develop their careers within the company are more likely to stay for the long term and identify with the company.