The Importance of Potential Loyalty in the Business World
1. Introduction
In the contemporary business world, there is an incessant search for the most valuable employee criteria. With businesses going global and the village becoming a reality, employers are looking for employees with potential loyalty. This is not surprising as a loyal employee is an asset to any company. In this paper, we explore the concept of potential loyalty and why it should be a thing of priority to every employer.
2. The global village and social animals
The global village is a reality that has been brought about by globalization (O’Hara, 2000). With businesses going global, the need for employees who are loyal to the company has become more important than ever before. This is because employees who are loyal to the company are more likely to stay with the company for a longer period of time and contribute to its success.
Loyalty is a virtue that is highly valued in the business world. It is often said that loyalty is like gold; it is hard to find and even harder to keep (Stevens, 2006). This is because loyalty is not something that can be taught or bought; it is something that must be earned over time. Loyalty is important because it helps to build trust and rapport between employer and employee. Moreover, loyalty helps to create a sense of belongingness and commitment to the company.
It has been argued that humans are social animals and that we are hardwired for loyalty (De Waal, 2009). This means that we have a natural inclination towards loyalty and that it is something that comes naturally to us. We are also more likely to be loyal to those with whom we have a strong relationship. Therefore, it is important for employers to foster strong relationships with their employees in order to encourage loyalty.
3. Rules are natural
Loyalty is often thought of as being synonymous with obedience; however, this is not always the case. Loyalty does not always mean blindly following orders or doing what you are told without question. Instead, loyalty should be seen as a two-way street; it should be based on mutual respect and trust (Mayer, 2014).
Rules are important in any organization; however, they should not be blindly followed without question. There will always be times when rules need to be broken in order to do what is right for the company or for the individual employee. For example, if an employee knows that a certain rule is causing harm to the company, then they should be loyal enough to break the rule in order to protect the company. Likewise, if an employee knows that a certain rule is unfair or unjust, then they should be brave enough to speak up and challenge it.
4. Changing times and employees
The world is constantly changing and so too are the needs of businesses. As such, employers need to be able adapt their approach in order to attract and retain the best talent. One way of doing this is by offering employees greater autonomy and flexibility in their work (Gillis & De Gieter, 2015).
Giving employees greater autonomy does not mean giving them free rein; instead, it means trusting them to do their job and giving them the freedom to make decisions within certain parameters. This type of environment fosters creativity and innovation as well as loyalty among employees.
Another way of attracting and retaining the best talent is by offering employees training and development opportunities (Harter,2007). This is because employees who feel that they are learning and growing in their career are more likely to be loyal to the company. Furthermore, offering employees training and development opportunities shows that you are invested in their future and that you want them to be a part of the company for the long haul.
5. Why do employees jump ship?
There are many reasons why employees may choose to leave their current employer and join another company. Some of the most common reasons include:
– Unhappy with current salary or benefits package
– Unhappy with management or company culture
– Lack of career development opportunities
– Feeling undervalued or unappreciated
– Feeling that their job is no longer fulfilling
These are just some of the reasons why employees may choose to leave their current employer. It is important for employers to be aware of these reasons as they can help to prevent employee turnover.
6. From the perspective of the company
It is not only the employees who benefit from loyalty; businesses also stand to gain a lot from having loyal employees. For example, companies that have a high turnover rate often suffer from a lack of continuity and knowledge loss (Rothwell & Arnold, 2007). This is because when employees leave, they take with them all the knowledge and experience that they have gained while working for the company. This can be detrimental to the company, especially if the employee was in a senior position.
Loyalty also helps to foster a positive work environment. When employees are loyal to the company, they are more likely to go above and beyond in their work. They are also more likely to be team players and less likely to engage in workplace politics. Moreover, loyal employees are less likely to take advantage of company resources or engage in unethical behaviour. All of these things contribute to a positive work environment and a productive workforce.
7. Potential loyalty: the most valuable employee criteria
As we have seen, loyalty is a virtue that is highly valued in the business world. Employees who are loyal to their employer are an asset to any company. They are more likely to stay with the company for a longer period of time and contribute to its success. Therefore, it is important for employers to look for signs of potential loyalty when recruiting new employees.
One of the most important things to look for is a fast reaction to changes. In today’s fast-paced world, businesses need to be able to react quickly to changes in the market. Therefore, it is important to look for employees who are able to adapt quickly to change.
Another important thing to look for is an intellectual level that is higher than average. This is because employees who are more intelligent are more likely to be able to understand and solve complex problems. They are also more likely to be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions.
Finally, it is important to look for employees who have undergone specialized training. This is because employees who have undergone specialized training are more likely to be able to apply their skills and knowledge in a specific situation. They are also more likely to be able to troubleshoot problems and come up with innovative solutions.
8. Conclusion
In conclusion, loyalty is a virtue that is highly valued in the business world. It is important for employers to look for signs of potential loyalty when recruiting new employees. Some of the most important things to look for include a fast reaction to change, an intellectual level that is higher than average, and specialized training.