In the last 5 posts we have covered how the “top 5” corporate values can be actively used to assist leaders on their way to their teams achieving success. How those corporate values can be really valuable.
Those Top 5 are Passion, Performance, Integrity, Teamwork and Respect.
Whilst these (or their close siblings) are the most popular Corporate Values, your organization will likely have different ones.
No matter.
Whatever your values are they are important because they should reflect a common & positive understanding across an organization about what matters, and why decisions are made. When properly implemented they are visible in behaviors of leaders, especially senior leaders.
A common complaint in organizations is that “Our Corporate Values aren’t meaningful…”
A common mistake made by leaders in those organizations is to expect that “somebody” will make those values meaningful.
That somebody is you if you are a leader.
“Values have to be used to be useful…”
Our message on values is this: if you have “corporate values”, use them. Use all of them, not just the ones you like.
[ PS. If you don’t agree with the Values of your organization, why are you working there? ]
If you don’t have any, get some – even if just for your team. Make sure they’re a full balanced set, not just your personal hot topic.
Values don’t work if they’re only on the CEO’s letterhead or the website. Even less if they’re only found on posters on the walls.
Values have to be used to be useful, which means leaders should find ways to incorporate them into daily discussions, into their own behaviors.
Do you have Corporate Values?
Do you weave them into your day to day work?
How could you adopt them as a set to help drive engagement and performance in your team?
Are you waiting for your boss, or someone else to tell you how to make those Values valuable?
Coming next: Felt Leadership…