systematicHR

The intersection between HR strategy and HR technology

Commitment vs. Engagement

systematicHR Avatar

In response to a recent post, Regina said:

I am back and something is niggling at me these days about “engagement.” I guess I am struggling with the differences between engagement and commitment. The terms of engagement are different. I am thinking about how to articulate the differences. Maybe engagement is the default since commitment is so hard nearly impossible to get these days??

Initially I thought I had an easy answer, but as I thought about it, some confusion grew in my own head. Here’s my attempt at an answer:

Commitment to me seems to be the idea that the employee feels some sort of responsibility to the wellbeing of the organization as a whole. This may be a responsibility to the company, his/er product, facility, or department. Engagement is commitment and it adds to it the feeling of excitement and enjoyment of one’s work. Basically, engagement is a deeper level of commitment.

Let’s take for example Coca Cola employees (just because Regina has me thinking about this brand thing). A Coca Cola employee is probably pretty darn committed to the Coke organization compared to Pepsi. That is to say that a Coke employee would never jump ship and go work for Pepsi. However, While you’re average Coke factory worker loves the product, they may not feel that engaged in their work. Another example would be GM automobile employees. This may be stereotyping, but your average detroit UAW member would not drive a Japanese care. But at the moment, they all hate their jobs and are pretty distance from commitment.

Tagged in :

systematicHR Avatar

3 responses to “Commitment vs. Engagement”

  1. Part to of this series tomorrow. Related Posts: GG and DD define “engagement” Employer branding, talent and engagement Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Talent optimization and engagement Commitment vs. Engagement

  2. the interaction – but to increase the quality of that interaction. Part to of this series tomorrow. Related Posts: GG and DD define “engagement” Employer branding, talent and engagement Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Talent optimization and engagement Commitment vs. Engagement Towers Perrin, November 15, 2005. “ Largest Single Study of the Workforce Worldwide Shows That Employee Engagement Levels Pose a Threat to Corporate Performance Globally.“ Retrieved December 11, 2005 from http://www.towersperrin.com.

  3. Clint Avatar
    Clint

    I remember a “parable” about a pig and a hen that may give some clarity. The farmer who cared for the farm animals so impressed the hen that she suggested to the pig that they do something nice for him. She thought a nice breakfast or bacon and eggs would be nice. She would lay some eggs as her contribution. The pig replied, “all that is required or you in such a breakfast is involvement, my part requires total commitment.” Perhaps the differentiation is that engagement is enthusiasm about being involved. Commitment is no other options.