Living Values

“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” -Mark Twain

Over the past 25 years, I’ve observed numerous companies attempt to articulate and share their core values. Typically, the process includes discussions among core team members, and occasionally employees and investors, culminating in a document that describes these sincerely-held beliefs. This document often finds a quiet home on the intranet or company website, seldom revisited. Once we've declared our values, what more is there to do?

Values or Slogans?

A value you're not willing to sacrifice for is merely a slogan. Living your values often necessitates making tough choices and taking actions that may be inconvenient, financially unprofitable, or otherwise painful. The reason many values charters end up as the least-visited page on a website or intranet is likely because it fails to provide the necessary guidance for when decisions are most challenging.

Choosing between right and wrong can seem straightforward, and it often is. The real challenge emerges when decisions involve conflicting interests. For example, an organization might wrestle with if and how to invest in employee development in the face of a financial incentive towards short-term profitability. Valuing transparency might necessitate accepting slower decision-making or exposing vulnerabilities. Many organizations err by describing their values only in terms of the positive outcomes they produce. Recognizing benefits is essential, but it's equally vital to articulate the costs the organization is prepared to bear to uphold these values. Clearly articulating these trade-offs not only underscores the organization's dedication but also equips all stakeholders for the difficult decisions that lie ahead.

Mapping Out Key Moments

An effective values charter begins with pinpointing key moments where crucial decisions are made that define the business. These moments are the crucial context for the explicit guidance on how to prioritize values if and when they clash. The most important thing is that as you keep your values charter updated with real, current examples from the business. Ask your team to surface examples as they happen and set aside time in your regular meetings to share them company-wide as you update the charter. Documenting, discussing, and celebrating instances where values are applied, balanced against each other, and sacrifices made, transforms the values charter from a theoretical document into a practical, living guide. Over time, as the organization evolves and you keep the document current, it also serves as a journal of how the organization actively lives out its values, continually refining their application in the real world.

Conclusion

Prioritizing values when they conflict is a true testament to an organization's commitment to its principles. By describing values in terms of the sacrifices the organization is willing to make, has made, and is making, companies elevate their values beyond mere slogans. They become the bedrock that shapes decisions, fosters trust, and builds a resilient and cohesive organization.

Are you keeping track of how your organization expresses its values in key moments? Let me know your thoughts.