OW SERIES: Day 18 – Three forms of engagement at work

Did you know that referring to ‘engagement’ at work is pretty limited? In psychology there are in fact three distinct forms of engagement:

1. The emotional engagement that all companies favour: I stay because I love my company/ job/mission. This works miracles when everything is going well but is disastrous at any other time.
2. The normative: I stay because I am loyal. This is the expression of a “corporate” mentality.
3. I’m staying because it could be worse elsewhere and I’m afraid to leave. This is the poorest quality engagement.

A positive and lasting emotional engagement at work is like a love story. It is nourished by sincere dialogue along with ample helpings of care, conflict, and passion.