And if your attachment style leans anxious, avoidant, or disorganized, experts say it could be the very thing holding you back.
According to workplace management expert Nancy Roberts, those with a disorganised attachment style “struggle to manage their emotions in the workplace.”
“All of these can cause strained relationships with colleagues and managers.”
Meanwhile, the experts claimed that employees with avoidant or anxious tendencies are also (perhaps subconsciously) holding themselves back, because they naturally steer clear of uncertain environments or collaborating.
Psychologists recognize four main styles of attachment: secure, avoidant, anxious, and disorganized. Our attachment styles are developed from childhood and shaped by experiences growing up.
Other signs of secure attachment include:
If you are someone with an avoidant attachment style, the University of Utah explains that you likely prioritize independence. Those with this style may avoid discussions about feelings or vulnerability.
Other signs of an avoidant attachment style can include:
People with this style generally crave closeness while also fearing abandonment. You often doubt your self-worth and fear rejection, leading to a constant need for reassurance, the university explains.
Signs of an anxious attachment style include:
Often associated with early childhood trauma or instability, this style is similarly marked by fear of rejection or betrayal but a need for intimacy. So people with this style can show inconsistent behavior—seeking closeness before withdrawing—and difficulty trusting.
Other signs include:
Perhaps unsurprisingly, those with a secure attachment style seemingly have it easiest, but that doesn’t mean everyone else is doomed. The experts agree that knowing your own attachment style—and how that impacts the way you show up at work and communicate with others—is key.
