Compliance is NOT Commitment

One of the lessons that I have learned throughout my nursig leadership journey is that just because employees comply does not mean that they are committed to the organization. People comply for different reasons; some because the policy dictates it, others comply because they fear unpeasant consequences. However, commitment and compliance are not synonymous.

Commitment comes from a belief in something, it starts with trust and it stems from understanding the purpose of the work.

Sometimes leaders are so focused on obtaining compliance that the more difficulty question is overlooked; Have we really inspired commitment.

Now I realize that in the end, some leaders may not care. I have worked in organizations where the employees followed all of the directives, attended the meetings, completed the tasks, and checked every box and on paper, everything looked great. BUT, beneath the surface of all of that, there was mistrust, disengagement, frustration and exhaustion.

I have also worked in organizations where many of the employees were committed to the shared mission and vision, willing to work through the crazy and hard stuff all the while supporting one another but unfortunately, I don't see that so much anymore. So, what has changed?

I believe that when people feel undervalued, dismissed, ignored or treated as a means to an end, they may be compliant, but their commitment to the organization, other than working because of the needed paycheck, may be missing.

In order to build a sustainable workforce made up of employees who are committed, we must focus on more than outcomes, metrics and performance indicators. We must focus on something much deeper than compliance alone. We must focus on making sure employees feel heard, valued, respected and showing them that leaders really do care.

The question all leaders must ask is am I obtaining merely compliance or am I cultivating true commitment to the organization?