Integrity is a cornerstone of effective leadership - it builds trust and credibility, which are...
“I’m helping put a man on the moon.”
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy visited NASA for the first time. During his tour of the facility, he met a janitor who was carrying a broom down the hallway. The President then casually asked the janitor what he did for NASA, and the janitor replied, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.” In one sentence, this janitor exemplified what happens when organizations connect all employees to the organization's mission, vision, and values - they motivate and inspire helping each individual across the organization recognize how their role contributes to the mission of the organization.
- Mission: "Why" your organization exists.
- Vision: ‘What" the future would look like if your organization achieved all its goals.
- Values: "How" work gets done - the minimum required behavior expected across the company.
Did this story happen? There is evidence to suggest it didn't, like the fact that I can't find this janitor's name anywhere in the retelling of the story. However, the point is salient: when you make your mission, vision, and values clear, everyone understands their role and contribution. In this story, the janitor connected that by providing a clean and safe work environment, he was helping the engineers on the team have the physical workspace needed to do their work. And thus they were all putting a man on the moon. So let's talk about what company values (aka core values) are in-depth, and how you can be better leveraging them to inspire and motivate your team.
What are Company Values?
Company values are the core principles and beliefs that guide an organization. They are 1:3 of the key strategic planning elements (mission, vision, values) that convey purpose and direction; providing critical guidance so that every key stakeholder (individual contributor to top executive) knows how to contribute to organization-wide success. Company values guide the work of all teams across the organization by establishing a set of standards that shape the company culture, decision-making processes, and overall strategic direction. Keeping values top of mind, helps everyone make strong business decisions that are in line with the mission and vision. By embedding values into all operations, companies create a cohesive environment where everyone is working towards the same goals, guided by a shared set of principles. This not only enhances the effectiveness of teams but also strengthens the overall integrity and reputation of the organization.
Why Company Values Matter
Company values are more than just words on a wall or a section in an employee handbook; they are the foundation of an organization's culture and a guiding force for its actions and decisions. Values shape the identity of a company, influencing how employees interact with each other, how they approach their work, and how the organization engages with its customers and the wider community. Here is a list of the key areas that well-defined values support:- Alignment and Direction: Company values provide a clear framework for decision-making, ensuring that all actions and strategies align with the organization’s mission and vision. They serve as a compass, guiding teams toward a unified goal and ensuring consistency in behavior and performance.
- Cultural Cohesion: Values help to cultivate a strong, cohesive culture by setting expectations for behavior and interaction. This creates a sense of belonging and shared purpose among employees, which can enhance collaboration and morale.
- Employee Motivation and Engagement: When employees resonate with their company's values, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged in their work. Understanding how their contributions fit into the larger mission fosters a sense of purpose and commitment.
- Brand Identity and Trust: Consistent adherence to company values helps build a strong brand identity and fosters trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders. Companies known for their integrity and values are often more successful in establishing long-term relationships.
Key Ingredients of Company Values
To be effective, company values should be:- Authentic: Values should reflect the true ethos of the organization, not just what sounds good on paper. Authentic values are those that are genuinely practiced and upheld by everyone from the top leadership down to entry-level employees.
- Actionable: Values should guide specific behaviors and decisions. They need to be clear enough that employees know exactly how to act following said values, in various situations.
- Inspirational: Values should inspire and motivate employees. They should reflect aspirational qualities that employees strive to embody in their work.
- Inclusive: Values should resonate with all employees, regardless of their role or level within the organization. They should foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
- Sustainable: Values should be enduring, providing a long-term foundation for the company's culture and strategies.
- Defined: Clearly define your company’s values ensuring you involve a diverse group of employees in this process to ensure the values resonate across the organization. Articulate these values in simple, actionable terms.
- Have Leadership Buy-In: Ensure that leadership at all levels are committed to living the values. Leaders should model these values in their behavior and decisions, setting an example for the rest of the organization.
- Communicated: Consistently communicate the values to all employees through various channels, such as onboarding programs, internal newsletters, and team meetings. Provide training and development programs that help employees understand and embody the values. This can include workshops, seminars, and e-learning modules. Reinforce the importance of these values regularly.
- Integrated into Operations: Embed the values into all aspects of the company’s operations, from hiring and performance evaluations to decision-making processes and daily activities. Use values as criteria for recruitment, promotions, and rewards.
- Recognitized and Rewarded: Recognize and reward employees who exemplify the company values. This not only reinforces the importance of the values but also encourages others to follow suit.
- Reviewed and Iterated On: Periodically review the values to ensure they remain relevant and effective. As the company grows and the market evolves, it might be necessary to update or refine the values.
Examples of Company Values
Many successful companies have well-defined values that guide their operations. Here are a few examples:- HubSpot: "Employees who work at HubSpot have HEART: Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent." These values emphasize a culture of "growth-minded people whose values include using good judgment and solving for the customer."
- Google: "Focus on the user and all else will follow." This value emphasizes the importance of user-centricity in all of Google's decisions and innovations.
- Patagonia: "Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis." Patagonia’s values highlight their commitment to quality, environmental responsibility, and activism.
- Zappos: "Deliver WOW through service." This value underscores Zappos' dedication to providing exceptional customer service and creating positive experiences.
Key Steps to Implement Robust Company Company Values
Embedding values into your organization is crucial for creating an aligned, motivated, and results-driven team. When done effectively, values enhance operational efficiency and cohesiveness and build a strong, trustworthy brand identity that resonates with customers and stakeholders alike.
Looking to chat out your thoughts as you embark on a company values project? Great let's chat!
