The value of commitment in an era of rapid change

Life seems to be moving faster and faster: we expect to get the latest phone, app and style as soon as it comes out. We seem to be thinking about employment in the same way.The job market is trending toward fast paced, temporary work and the notion that we can change jobs like gloves if we’re not satisfied is gaining traction. Meanwhile at TSG, we emphasize the value of sticking around. Call us old school, but we will continue to make the case for committing to one organization for a long time.Benefits for employeesStaying at the same company helps employees build competence, credibility and seniority.It shows a consistent, unbroken record of employment which is a positive sign for recruiters indicating the person is able to hold down a job.Sticking around also helps people get comfortable with their workplace and co-workers.Higher comfort levels lead to closer friendships and connections at the office – something you’re unlikely to establish if you’re always jumping from job to job.Having that closeness make your colleagues more likely to support you through rough patches and vice versa, creating a positive feedback loop of reciprocity and human connection.Again, this is a luxury not really available to those who change jobs quickly.You can think of workplace connections in the same way as friendships in that they develop and are tested over time. Friends will come and go, but the worthwhile ones stick around through thick and thin.All of these factors also help businesses and employers create a core of smart, loyal and well-adjusted staff which boosts productivity and profits. This kind of team dynamic contributes to a healthy and stable workplace that does not suffer from the problems that come with employee turnover.Other reasons to commitWe have already mentioned the propensity to quickly move onto the next thing if the present is unsatisfying. But even as people change jobs to find something that works better for them, this game of musical chairs may not be helpful in the long run.Changing workplaces all the time may not necessarily resolve underlying issues and concerns. Commitment changes this equation because sticking around means making the choice to actually work through your challenges. In some sense, commitment forces you to solve your problems instead of running from them.That’s not to say you should persist past the point of reason because it’s important to know when to quit to avoid wasting time and energy. One hint that you need a change of scenery is if you’re getting too comfortable with your current situation.And to go back to recruiters for a second, you may also want consider the impression recruiters may get if you stay too long at the same organization. They may perceive you as overly risk averse and reluctant to adapt and change.As we can see, commitment is a fine line to tread as both too little and too much are not advisable. At the end of the day whether you end up staying for days or decades, make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.Are you ready to commit and transform? Let us know in the comments below.