2 Ways to Increase Job Pride
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Job pride is an important aspect of being an engaged employee. When an employee feels proud to work for your company and perform their job duties, they are more likely to passionately do their job and treat your customers better.
As an employer, you can help your employees attain an even greater level of job pride. To do this, it can help to understand the definition of pride. Merriam Webster defines pride as, “a reasonable or justifiable self-respect” and a “delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship.”
Pride is A Reasonable or Justifiable Self Respect
Let’s first look at pride as a reasonable or justifiable self respect. In looking more closely at this definition, you may ask yourself what is the difference between self esteem and self respect? Professor Ellen Langer explains in Psychology Today, “The person with self-respect simply likes her- or himself. This self-respect is not contingent on success because there are always failures to contend with. Neither is it a result of comparing ourselves with others because there is always someone better. These are tactics usually employed to increase self-esteem. Self-respect, however, is a given. We simply like ourselves or we don't.”
So if pride comes from self respect and self respect comes from liking who you are, then part of job pride is perhaps liking what you do. It stands to reason that the employees who like what they do are more likely to feel job pride. So what can you do to help your employees like what they do? Here are a few suggestions:
Help your employee understand the long-term benefits of doing their job. For instance, if your employee is in an entry-level position, you can help your employee see how their current position will look good on their resume.
Show your employee what they can learn from their job. In every position, there are things an employee can learn that can be used to help them in life and to get other jobs in the future. The experiences they have may be directly applicable or a transferable skill. They may learn how to communicate more effectively, be a team player, be an enthusiastic and effective leader.
Teach your employee the value of working with people. If your employee is struggling to find something they like about their job, help them recognize the value of the interactions they have with people. They can make someone’s day better by providing superior service or they may create a connection with someone that can be used as a networking opportunity in the future.
Focus on the positive. Not all jobs, or even aspects of jobs, are glamorous. If an employee is struggling with the messy, difficult, and frustrating parts of their job, remind them what a positive attitude can do to turn things around. While the job may not change, a positive attitude can help them find joy in what they do.
Pride Comes From Acts, Possessions, & Relationships That Engender Delight & Elation
Secondly, pride comes from some act, possession, or relationship that causes feelings of delight and elation. As an employer, here are some ways you can help your employees increase in pride through an act, possession, or relationship:
Create time for staff to cross train.
Periodically offer certification opportunities at work or PTO for staff to complete certifications elsewhere.
Catch employees in the act of doing a superior job or showing kindness to others.
Give away awards to employees who achieve aspects of your mission statement. For instance, employees at Pinnacle are acknowledged for “doing the right thing,” displaying actions that show that “people are our purpose,” and making sure “our products are simple, useful, and beautiful.”
Congratulate employees as they complete education milestones that relate to their job.
Foster trust, teamwork, communication, respect, and other attributes. Encourage your employees to do the same.
Encourage your employees to strengthen their relationships with coworkers and customers through activities, role playing, and workshops.
Provide recognition for the things your employees do. This in turn can create motivation, which increases employee engagement.
As your employees like what they do and find joy in aspects of their jobs, they can increase in job pride. As their employer, you can create opportunities for your employees to increase their job pride.