The Employee Handbook

A monthly newsletter about current challenges and conversations for values-driven HR professionals

Why Being “Fiercely Authentic” Is a New Company Value

Marta Pateiro, head of organizational development, diversity, inclusion, and culture at Pernod Ricard, attributes much of her corporate perspective to her roots. Her mother arrived in the U.S. from Spain with Marta as a baby, $200 to her name, and little knowledge of English.?

“That cultural perspective and growing up with a family that struggled early on but did everything they could to live that American dream is what shaped me and how I think about culture,” said Pateiro. It taught her to appreciate where people come from, how they were raised, and what drives them. Speaking at From Day One’s September virtual conference, Pateiro shared how inclusion, connection, and an appetite for challenge are now embedded in the company’s ethos.

Launching Updated Corporate Values

Pernod Ricard recently launched its new set of corporate values, while also reminding the team that some of them are not actually so new, referring to them as “legacy values.” Pateiro suggests that companies reassess their values every five to ten years. The goal is to determine if those values still hold up—whether they align with what the company is doing, fit its business priorities, and resonate with its employees. If not, it’s time to make adjustments.

After data collection and brainstorming, the company came up with four core values:

1. Grounded in the real. “We are a business that has soul,” Pateiro said, a phrase that also nods to the company’s products, made from plants rooted in the earth.

1. Fiercely authentic. “Everyone was proactive in sharing how important it was to feel like they could bring their whole selves to work,” she said.?

1. Connected beyond borders. Employee feedback came in from 770 locations around the world.?

1. Passion for challenge. Adapting to changes is part of the new reality today, she says.?

Becoming “Fiercely Authentic”

“What does it mean to be ‘fiercely authentic’ on the job?” asked moderator Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, neighborhood reporter for the Denver Post.?

It doesn’t mean employees can just freely say whatever’s on their mind without consequence. “It just gives them the permission to feel psychologically safe,” said Pateiro. “We still have our integrity around respect for one another, understanding that we are still colleagues, and we still need to be professional, but making sure that they feel empowered.” To learn more about being fiercely authentic, read the full story here.?

Boosting Workplace Energy and Engagement?

Authenticity is hard to achieve in a workplace that doesn’t manage its energy effectively. Andrew Deutscher, founder of Regenerate, understands this deeply–he’s seen firsthand how an energy-draining work environment can lead to disengaged employees.?

So, how can leaders boost energy and empower their teams to manage it more effectively? Deutscher shared strategies for fostering engagement and preventing burnout with From Day One.?

Some of his work helps leaders boost collaboration and teamwork. Leaders who build strong team connections are better at driving meaningful change, setting companies up for lasting success. Deutscher has golden rules for achieving this: “Look people in the eye. Be respectful. Ask questions. Give them a chance to be heard. Be receptive to what they’re saying. Have a good value exchange of candor and receptivity. Speak your mind, but do it respectfully.”

It’s also about getting back to the basics. Preparation is key for leaders, says Deutscher. “You have to renew, recover, strategize, plan, spend more time thinking and planning than doing. [That’s how] you prepare to win.”

Learn more about regenerating leaders and teams with sustainable energy here.?

Join us!

Get involved! This fall we’re wrapping up our 2024 series of live events in Austin, Brooklyn, and Miami discussing how to “Build a Culture for Workers and Companies to Thrive in Times of Change.”

Not near those cities? Join us virtually! On November 20, we’re gathering leaders from Comcast, U.S. Bank, Cushman & Wakefield, and more, for a half-day virtual conference about “Finding and Deploying HR Tech That Will Empower Workers.” Here’s your complimentary VIP pass.

We’re also hosting 60-minute webinars on some of the most pressing topics, including the evolution of employee experience, best practices for compensation-planning, mental health in the workplace, and tapping into assessment data. Check out the full list of webinars and register today. Our webinars are free of charge and count towards professional development credits at SHRM and HRCI, so don’t miss out!