Core Values? Who Needs 'Em... We All Do!
Working with clients who genuinely live their core values is truly the best part of what I do. Recently, I had an incredibly inspiring experience while at a client’s office for a final interview with a candidate. After the candidate had the opportunity to meet the partners and engage with a case study, something remarkable happened. The founder asked me to hand him a framed document from the table behind me.
As he held it, he began to discuss his 25-year partnership with his business partner. "That's amazing," I thought. I knew they had been working together for a while, but had not realized it had spanned a quarter of a century. He turned to the candidate and said, "Let me tell you why we have been able to work together for as long as we have." It wasn't just about strategy or skills; it was about their core values. "We come to work every day with the same mission," he continued, "We both agree on how we will serve our clients, and everyone here is focused on that mission."
Witnessing the impact of true core values in action always brings me right back to the best parts of my own career journey. It’s a vivid reminder of why I love what I do.
Next Steps for Defining Core Values
If your organization hasn’t yet defined its core values, or if you feel they need to be revisited or revitalized, here are some practical steps to get started:
Reflect on Your Past: Look back at the moments when your organization was at its best. What behaviors and beliefs led to those peaks? What common threads can you identify?
Involve Your Team: Gather insights from your employees at all levels. What do they see as the foundational values of your organization? This can be done through workshops or surveys.
Define and Refine: From the gathered information, start drafting your core values. Ensure they are clear, actionable, and truly reflective of what makes your organization unique.
Integrate: Once defined, integrate these values into every aspect of your business, from hiring to daily operations to performance reviews.
Need Help?
If you’re looking for expert guidance through this process, consider reaching out to organizations like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System https://www.eosworldwide.com/). They specialize in helping businesses articulate and live by their core values, ensuring these principles are deeply integrated into their strategic framework. EOS provides tools and coaching to help teams achieve greater alignment and execute their vision with clarity and consistency.
Embracing core values isn’t just about having a set of rules to follow; it’s about cultivating a culture that fosters long-term success and satisfaction for everyone involved. Start your journey today and see the transformative impact it can have on your organization.
