A subtle but crucial difference: People who are attached to us move us forward. People who are tied to us tend to hold us back. So it makes a significant difference whether people feel attached to the company or connected to the company.
Every employee has a kind of bond, otherwise they wouldn't be here. Those who stay with the company due to a lack of alternatives are also committed. And those who have created a comfort zone within the company that they no longer want to do without. And those who think their chances on the job market are slim. And those who have already applied to the competition but have so far failed.
The central question is therefore not: "attachment - yes or no", but "how strong" and "of what quality". Attachment exists for everyone. Attachment only exists for those who stay despite the alternatives.
What causes a high level of connectedness?
- Loyalty: Employees act in the interests of the company - whether you are looking or not.
- Commitment: Employees are happy to go the extra mile to contribute to our success.
- Stability: The employees are resilient and will get through difficult times with you.
- A strong brand: Employees represent the company with pride and become convincing brand ambassadors - both for customers and for potential new employees.
How can bonding become attachment?
Do you want to be more than just a breadwinner? The good news is that your employees most likely want that too. People have a natural need for connection, be it with friends, partners or communities such as your company. Being part of something is important for finding an identity - Who am I? Where do I belong? - is of great importance.
Giving support instead of holding on.
Strong relationships - including working relationships - are characterized by a high degree of mutual trust, which can only develop and grow through being there for each other. Only wanting the best for the other person and having the certainty that the same applies vice versa: this is the basis of a trusting relationship. So it's all about an exchange relationship: if your company expects loyalty and commitment, it must also ask for, recognize and meet the expectations of its employees.
Bonding becomes attachment when expectations are fulfilled positively in the long term.
The Employer Indicator tells you whether there is genuine loyalty in your company! All decisive factors are included in this overall value: Employee loyalty, commitment, satisfaction, recommendation, ...
And if you want to know exactly what the situation is like in your company in terms of expectations, identification, trust, etc., take a look at the psychological contract, which breaks down all the details at departmental level.
