Having organisational values takes guts.
Recently, I've had the opportunity to work with a few organisations on their values and guiding principles. This work takes a lot of courage on their part.
Here's why:
1. Values keep you accountable
When you create values, you also create the expectation that you're going to live by them. When you don't, the backlash can be fierce. Stating a value and doing nothing to live it or, worse, stating it and doing the opposite can be reputational suicide.
2. Values define your 'sandbox'
When values are lived - and not just stated - they serve the purpose of defining expected behaviour. Some people see 'behavioural expectations' as 'behavioural restrictions'. Values don't restrict behaviour: They provide clear boundaries of what is expected and acceptable, and what isn't. And that gives people a choice over which they have complete control.
3. Values make you stand out from the crowd
Providing, of course, they're not the result of a hollow, 'make do' exercise that senior leaders pat themselves on the back for and use to make inspirational videos to show at conferences.
'Integrity' appears in 55% of Fortune 100 company's values. It's right up there with 'customer satisfaction' and 'teamwork'. Yawn. Your values can be core differentiators when clearly defined, articulated, and lived as though you mean it.
Some may argue that 'values' are a thing of the past.
I disagree.
'Value statements', not values, are most definitely a thing of the past.
But those organisations that create genuine values, live them like they mean them, and use to hold themselves and each other accountable, can become some of the most respected, trusted, and talent-attracting organisations in the market.
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