“If you’re not loyal to your team, you can get by for a while, but eventually you will need to rely on their loyalty to you, and it just won’t be there.” —Tim Schafer

I don’t care how smart you are, where you went to school, or how fabulous you think you are every time you look in the mirror; none of us succeeds alone. Your success takes family, friends, colleagues, and connections; a whole team of people have contributed to getting you from where you were to where you are now. And, you will need their continued loyalty to get to achieve your next great aspiration. When push comes to shove, will your employees be there for you? Here are three steps to earning employee loyalty.

Earn their respect

Do not assume that you are owed respect based merely on your position. Respect must be earned on a daily basis through your words, actions, and policies. Set an example; be someone worth looking up too. When times get tough, that is when your respect will be put to the test. Will your employees remain loyal?

Earn their trust

Employees are always watching. And, like respect, trust must be earned on a daily basis. Are your words and actions in alignment with your stated values? Are you transparent? Are you the same person regardless of who you are with? Employees will only remain loyal when they know they can trust you.

Have their backs

If you want your employees to remain loyal, they must feel safe. In order for them to feel secure they must know that you have their backs. If you support your employees not only during periods of success, but also during times of failure, they will know you their backs.

Show Your Loyalty

When your actions earn the respect of employees; when they know they can trust you; and when you have their backs, it shows employees that you are committed to being loyal to them. And, when you show employees how loyal you are to them, they will be loyal to you in return. You’ll never make it alone; start proving your loyalty today.

 

 

© 2017 Elizabeth Stincelli

 

Liz Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the Founder of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations change attitudes, change communication dynamics, improve collaboration and problem-solving, engage employees, and strengthen organizational culture. Liz holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Liz by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.