Developing a set of values is just the first step in the process of guiding the culture you need to have. The real magic happens when you set about creating a considered approach to embedding them across the business.
Developing a set of values is just the first step in the process of guiding the culture you need to have. The real magic happens when you set about creating a considered approach to embedding them across the business. Values work best when they have been created alongside a clear articulation and expression of the company’s purpose and vision. Developed and aligned to purpose and vision they will guide the behaviours required to achieve them and provide clarity, meaning and direction to why the values exist for the business.
Listed below are a few useful tips to consider when rolling out and embedding values:
1. Values work best when they have been created alongside a clear articulation and expression of the company’s purpose and vision. Developed and aligned to purpose and vision they will guide the behaviours required to achieve them and provide clarity, meaning and direction to why the values exist for the business.
2. Celebrate each of your company’s values by taking all your employees on the journey, ensuring they understand why the values exist and why they are relevant anddistinctive to the company’s purpose and vision.
3. Have your teams/divisions work together to review the attributes of each value and let them set their own consensual ground rules for how the values can work for their specific role in the business.
4. Encourage personal participation. By this we mean encouraging personal projects and initiatives by your people that align to the values. Values work in real life too.
5. When onboarding new people help new recruits understand the story behind the company’s Purpose and Vision so they can understand why the values have been developed so they understand why they exist and the behaviours they are there to guide.
6. One-word values are meaningless without a narrative and description that feels ownable. Consider personalising the values beyond just a written narrative. Choose imagery and people photography that makes them relatable and engaging.
7. Use your values to sense check or benchmark performance. Set clear expected behaviours and goals and make everyone in the business accountable for these.
8. Use them to improve processes and procedures so that your culture is embedded across everything you do, for each other and your external audiences.
9. Align them to your ESG activities that should also align to your purpose, vision, so that what you do as a company beyond profit is purposeful and relevant to the stakeholders you are there to deliver to.
10. Never stop reminding your people of your purpose, vision, and values it requires ongoing commitment and engagement with your stakeholders to genuinely appreciate the positive outcomes it can create for the business and its reputation.
11. Enjoy celebrating and recognising your successes and how your values work for everyone in the business.