CORE VALUES
5 Tips On How To Develop Powerful and Transformative Values.
By Tanya Pinto
Consultant
Shakti Consultant
Consultant
Shakti Consultant
Wherever I go meeting the public... spreading a message of human values, spreading a message of harmony, is the most important thing."
– Dalai Lama
Core values are the basic principals that help to define an organization’s beliefs, code of conduct and principles. Core values usually involve some “baseline” minimums of behavior that is acceptable, e.g. honesty, integrity, however they can also involve aspirational values that can lift performance and learning, e.g. courage, tenacity, resilience. Core values can also be informed by faith, mission and the end-customer or beneficiary, e.g. treat the customer like you would treat your mother.
Many organizations have core values and they are evoked and lived out on a daily basis. Other organizations have core values, but they are words that look good on their website and in the lobby, but are not really believed in or lived by employees.
Where does your organization stand on its core values? Is it time to revisit them because they truly don’t reflect the culture you have and your goals? Or, is it time to start afresh, because the organization, leadership and context you are working in has changed since your values were developed?
Here are some tips on crafting powerful and enduring core values.
Many organizations have core values and they are evoked and lived out on a daily basis. Other organizations have core values, but they are words that look good on their website and in the lobby, but are not really believed in or lived by employees.
Where does your organization stand on its core values? Is it time to revisit them because they truly don’t reflect the culture you have and your goals? Or, is it time to start afresh, because the organization, leadership and context you are working in has changed since your values were developed?
Here are some tips on crafting powerful and enduring core values.
5 Tips On How Creating Powerful Core Values.
1. Analyze the values that are already in place.
All organizations have a value system, whether they like it or not, or if it fits the words in their value statement or not. Do some analysis on the values that are present in an organization through surveys, interviews and assessing the culture. And then see where there may be alignment or gaps in where you want the organization to be.
2. Core values are just words until they are lived out.
Once you have defined your core values, make an intentional list of ways they can be lived out. What actions can you take to demonstrate a value of transparency, e.g. more briefings with all staff and more open access to information. Come up with ways to bring the values to life, through specific actions, behaviors and changes in how you operate. This way they are more than just lip service.
3. Involve Everyone.
Very rarely does defining core values and then making staff follow them result in success. Involving everyone in the process of co-creating, discussing and deciding what values are most important across the organization will result in greater buy-in, belief and adoption.
4. Reward good behavior.
If your organization is having trouble with passive aggressive behavior, politics and other cultural issues, then core values and refreshing them can be a good opportunity to help reframe expectations, set higher standards and involve everyone in shaping a more positive culture. Along with that, behavior change can “stick” when there is validation, recognition and even rewards like an extra day off as an example. E.g. An employee of the month award for selfless service, can help to recognize when someone does demonstrate an organization’s values and help others validate and recognize positive contributions.
5. Make core values part of your brand’s story.
Organizations often have a rich history of how their values have helped to change lives and change industries. When telling your brand’s story, talk about your core values and how they help shape your decisions, your culture and why they make a difference. People are attracted to brands where they have a shared value system, so core values is an integral part of your brand’s story, so leverage them.
And...
Core values are to be taken very seriously. In partnership with human resources, also help to enrich performance reviews with added dimension helping to assess people and their contributions to an organization in a more holistic and multi-dimensional way.
Live your days on the positive side of life, in tune with your most treasured values. And in each moment you'll have much to live for."
– Ralph Marston
I have led brands on helping to craft powerful and enduring core values, and I would love to help you assess if it is time for your organization to look at your brand’s core values so you can have greater impact and results.
|
Intentionally designed and developed core values along with vision and mission are the the foundation of any strong brand. Contact me for an assessment or workshop on developing your core values.
|
Do you need to help defining or redefining your organization's core values?
Contact: www.shakticonsulting.com |
|
|
|
Tanya Pinto facilitating a Core Values Workshop for HighGround Advisors, Dallas, Texas.
