Harnessing the Power of Identity and Guiding Principles to Create Alignment

In personal growth, frameworks like James Clear’s Atomic Habits teach us that transformation begins with identity-driven behavior. The same is true for organizations.

? Identity in Action:

• Personal Level: “I am a runner” → Inspires habits like early morning training.
• Organizational Level: “We are customer-obsessed” → Drives proactive problem-solving and personalized service.

Choosing the Right Guiding Principles

?? Root in Purpose: Align principles with your mission and vision. Ask: Who are we, and what do we stand for?

?? Be Specific and Actionable: Avoid vague terms like “Integrity.” Instead, define behaviours: “We do what’s right, even when it’s hard.”

Applying Guiding Principles

Guiding principles should shape cultural norms, process and decision-making, becoming the foundation of a distinct, authentic culture.

??? Reinforce Across the Employee Lifecycle:

• Hire for Alignment: Seek candidates who align with your principles or are committed to them. Share examples of how principles show up in your business so candidates can assess if your culture is a fit.
• Onboard with Storytelling: Connect new hires to your mission and culture through vivid stories.
• Reward Principle-Driven Behaviour: Incorporate principles into your performance management. Incentivize desired behaviours and establish clear guidelines for what’s unacceptable.

The True Test:

When tough decisions arise, ask:

• Does this align with our guiding principles? If not, don’t proceed.
• If following them doesn’t feel right, it might be time to reevaluate your principles. Authenticity is key.

Other Times to Reevaluate Your Principles

?? Significant Changes: Mergers, leadership shifts, or entering new markets.

?? Cultural Disconnect: High turnover or disengagement may signal a gap between principles and reality.

?? World Changes: Industry shifts or ethical challenges may require principles to evolve.

?? Take Action Today: Reflect on your company’s identity and principles. Are they shared by all, do they support decision making, are they inspiring your team and creating cultural norms that propel success?

Thanks for reading! :)

-April