Workplace values, like loyalty, are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of loyalty and 3 ways you can practice loyalty at your office.
What is loyalty?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, loyalty refers to “the act of giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution”.
When placed into the context of a working environment, loyalty can take on many forms at the workplace. As with any workplace value, we use loyalty as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual.
How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice loyalty at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of loyalty at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice loyalty through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle. As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing loyalty within your own office space.
Establish open communication with colleagues
Establishing open communication with your colleagues is one of the first steps you can take to practice loyalty at the workplace. Why, you wonder?
Ensure that employees within the same project teams are always kept in the loop when it comes to work. Share messages to everyone collectively, in a chat group or via email. Don’t leave anyone out. Make sure that the word you send out is the same and it reaches everyone at the same time.
Set up different notification systems for different forms of communication. For instance, use emails for changes in task details. For details relating to submissions and deadlines, use a more urgency-oriented communication channel – such as a chat group on apps like Slack or Telegram.
Take all factors into consideration and choose the right communication medium to send out your message. Ensure that transparency is established with your co-workers. This will encourage everyone to do the same.
When a feeling of teamwork and togetherness is better established, the workplace value of loyalty will automatically be practiced at work.
Trust your co-workers
One can also foster loyalty at the workplace simply by completing your own tasks and duties too.
Remind yourself that each employee joined the firm due to his or demonstration of their respective capabilities. As such, entrust your co-workers with responsibilities. Make sure that you don’t micromanage or hover over them.
Instead, express how much you trust them instead. Provide them with words of encouragement to motivate them towards their goals.
As Simon Senek once said, “A team is not a group of people who work together. It is a group of people who trust each other”. Trust one another’s potential. Trust that they will deliver. And when your co-workers do deliver, remember how collective effort makes all the difference in the road to success.
And so, trusting your employees is one way to practice the workplace value of loyalty.
Welcome suggestions, feedback and criticisms openly
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of loyalty is by welcoming suggestions, feedback and criticisms. Create some room for your colleagues to approach you with feedback about the way things are being done at work.
Take the initiative to make others feel like you are approachable and easy to talk to. Ensure that you listen actively when they come to speak with you. Encourage one another to share feedback. It is the road to improvement, after all.
On top of listening actively, paying attention to your colleagues and asking the right questions can help you get a better sense of their ideas too. Ask questions in return to ensure that you have indeed understood what their suggestions are all about. Brainstorm together to improve on these ideas too.
Take criticisms in the right spirit. Seek advice and clarifications. Remember the big picture and work hand-in-hand with your colleagues to improve current situations. Offer your thoughts and get more heads thinking on the matter too.
These are methods to express how you and your colleagues are in control of your career growth journey at the office. When there’s collective efforts to move towards progress, everyone will pitch in more whole-heartedly and you’d be practicing the workplace value of loyalty in no time!
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of loyalty. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice loyalty at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
