Leading a Team Values Discussion

One team activity that I always enjoy is having a Team Values discussion. It's a great way to get to know one another better, learn what drives everyone, and build a shared purpose and identity for the group.

There are a few different types of Values discussions that you can do. For example, last year we hosted company-wide discussions on the Microsoft values, which was a way to align everyone on a set of common values (tops down), and internalize what they mean to you. Another type of Values discussion I like to host (bottoms up) is a personalized approach, where everyone gets to share the values that they identify with most.

You can host the Team Values discussion as part of a broader team offsite, or a dedicated meeting itself. Either way, let the team know in advance that you plan to discuss this topic, to be inclusive of those who feel less comfortable thinking on the spot, and might want some time to think about their values. I like to share a list of values ideas to help seed the discussion (although additions are certainly welcome!).

To kick off the meeting, hand out post-it notes and pens, and ask everyone to write down their top 5 values. Sometimes people will ask if they should write their personal or professional values. Feel free to have folks focus on professional values, if they differ; however for many people (like me), they will be the same.

Next, go around the room and ask everyone to share about their values. This includes saying what the values are, as well as why they're important to them. The explanations are typically the most insightful part of the discussion. It's inspiring to hear folks talk about topics that they're so passionate about, and you will typically end up learning something new about everyone. Make sure to leave plenty of time for this section.

A nice way to capture all of these inputs is to build a "word cloud". By plugging in the words, you can get a nice visual that represents what's important to the team. Below are some examples from past team values discussions:

Finally, keep the discussion alive by printing out the word cloud and pasting it on a wall in the office. This can be a nice reminder for the team about what the team stands for. (In addition to sharing with the current team, this can also be a useful artifact for interview candidates, to let them know about the culture and priorities of the team.)