How do you reinforce your company values to employees and stakeholders?

1 Communicate your values clearly and frequently

One of the most important ways to reinforce your company values is to communicate them clearly and frequently to your employees and stakeholders. This means not only stating them in your mission statement, website, and marketing materials, but also explaining them in your orientation, training, and performance reviews. You should also use various channels and formats, such as newsletters, podcasts, videos, and social media, to share stories, examples, and testimonials that illustrate your values in action. By communicating your values regularly and in different ways, you will make them more memorable and meaningful for your audience.

2 Align your policies and practices with your values

Another way to reinforce your company values is to align your policies and practices with them. This means ensuring that your values are reflected in your hiring, compensation, recognition, and development processes, as well as in your code of conduct, ethical standards, and social responsibility initiatives. For example, if one of your values is innovation, you should encourage and reward creativity, risk-taking, and learning from failure among your employees. If one of your values is diversity, you should promote and celebrate inclusion, equity, and respect in your workplace. By aligning your policies and practices with your values, you will show that you are not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk.

3 Model your values as a leader and a team

A third way to reinforce your company values is to model them as a leader and a team. This means demonstrating your values through your behavior, attitude, and actions, as well as encouraging and supporting your team members to do the same. You should also acknowledge and appreciate those who exemplify your values, and address and correct those who violate them. For example, if one of your values is integrity, you should be honest, transparent, and accountable in your dealings with your employees and stakeholders. If one of your values is collaboration, you should foster a culture of teamwork, communication, and feedback in your organization. By modeling your values as a leader and a team, you will set the tone and the example for others to follow.

4 Involve your employees and stakeholders in your values

A fourth way to reinforce your company values is to involve your employees and stakeholders in them. This means soliciting their input, feedback, and suggestions on how to define, communicate, and implement your values. You should also create opportunities for them to participate in activities, projects, and events that align with your values and showcase their impact. For example, if one of your values is service, you could invite your employees and stakeholders to volunteer for a cause that matters to them and your business. If one of your values is excellence, you could ask your employees and stakeholders to share their best practices, achievements, and lessons learned with each other. By involving your employees and stakeholders in your values, you will make them feel valued, engaged, and empowered.

5 Review and update your values periodically

A fifth way to reinforce your company values is to review and update them periodically. This means evaluating how well your values are aligned with your vision, goals, and strategy, as well as with the changing needs, expectations, and preferences of your employees and stakeholders. You should also assess how effectively your values are communicated, practiced, and measured in your organization, and identify any gaps, challenges, or opportunities for improvement. For example, if one of your values is agility, you should check how well you are adapting to the changing market conditions, customer demands, and technological innovations. If one of your values is growth, you should measure how much you are investing in your people, products, and processes. By reviewing and updating your values periodically, you will ensure that they are relevant, realistic, and responsive.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?