Trying to garner customer loyalty without paying attention to team loyalty will get you the same results as bungee jumping without the bungee.

Today's experts identify an unyielding link between customer loyalty and employee loyalty. It's no coincidence that principled leadership inspires employee and customer loyalty. Leaders with a sense of responsibility and commitment to treating people well are far more likely to attract and retain the best and brightest employees. They will also command the respect of their employees who will see it as their own responsibility and exciting challenge to fulfill the company's mission and to deliver the best customer service possible.

Delivering superior customer service has immediate and long-term benefits to employees. When the service is good, there is almost always an immediate appreciation from the customer. In the long term, it gives employees a sense of pride, ownership and purpose.

Making a commitment to your team and your customers is a win-win-win situation. Customers are happy. Team members feel a sense of ownership and purpose. And your business will gain the trust of its biggest assets (customers and employees). For more information about the value of trust in the workplace be sure to read the article "How To Create a Volunteer Mindset".

The 5 Commitments to Customer and Employee Loyalty

Consider incorporating these 5 commitments as part of your company's overall mission. Feel free to hang these around the office, print on business cards or work with your team to rewrite and reorganize to best suit your company.

1. Everyone in this company has the right and responsibility to serve our customers beyond their wildest expectations.
2. We say what we mean and mean what we say.
3. If we are unable to deliver on a promise to employees or customers, we admit our mistake as soon as possible and offer the best possible alternatives.
4. Our employees are our partners in bringing the best solutions, services and products to our customers.
5. We acknowledge that we cannot be all things to all customers and reserve the right to say no to customers once all other avenues have been explored.