Most companies understand the extreme importance of hiring good employees. If you’re in the process of scaling up your company for significant growth, hiring the right people is more important than ever. There’s one quality that’s absolutely essential for a growing company: Loyalty. How do you hire loyal employees? I’d like to suggest that loyal employees are made, not hired.
Many businesses think that employees are automatically loyal just because they’re getting a regular paycheck. I’ve mentioned before that one key for hiring the right people is to offer them more than money. Loyalty isn’t based just on a paycheck. One characteristic of a loyal employee is that he or she has a commitment to a company because they believe in it. Their actions demonstrate their loyalty. What does that look like?
If an employee is truly loyal he or she feels the freedom to tell management what they really need to hear rather than what they think their superiors want to hear. They do that because they feel secure in the company’s vision and they trust leadership—because leadership trusts them. Loyal employees publically support and defend company decisions. They may not agree with all of them, but they voice their disagreement in appropriate ways (privately) in an attempt to make things better.
What undermines loyalty? If you hold employees back from advancement when they’ve earned it, their loyalty will fade. Sometimes that can come in the form of simply not letting them pursue their passion. Seeing the wrong people promoted (for the wrong reasons) also erodes loyalty. If employees feel that everything is about the company or the leadership, they won’t develop a sense of loyalty. Giving someone a challenging task can promote loyalty. Giving them the support and help they need to accomplish that task will definitely develop loyalty.
Why is loyalty so important for a company that is scaling up? If your company will be going through transformational growth there will be times when things aren’t always smooth. You’ll be making transitions. You’ll be doing things differently than you have in the past. You’ll be taking some of your employees out of their comfort zone. You need people who are committed and loyal and who will stay the course while you make those changes.
Transforming your business isn’t easy. You can’t do it alone. You need the help of loyal employees. The truth is that you really can’t hire loyalty. Loyalty isn’t for sale. Loyalty has to be earned by the way you treat your employees.
Contact me if you would like to talk about hiring the right people, creating loyalty among your staff, and transforming your business so that you can take things to the next level—and take your loyal employees with you!
Need help growing your business? With over 35 years of experience and thousands of companies assisted, Chuck Kocher and The Transformation Company can help you scale your business into a truly exceptional business capable of high growth strategies. Businesses are always changing, don’t let yours be left behind. Stand out with our business and executive leadership programs – designed to challenge and improve your business. Your business will thank you for it. Contact me today for a free consultation! 719-339-9505