What is the value of an organization if it does not have clear values?

In these times of uncertainty, radical and rapid technological, social and economical transformation, I see that that organizations that are clear about what their values are and how they expect their employees to live these in the working context make the difference between surviving and transforming.

Consistency, congruency and cohesion?

Yet is it so simple, to clarify what vales you stand for as an executive team and have these consistently, congruently and cohesively executed by your work force? What the one understands as trust and integrity can be quite different to how another understands this when it comes to behavior. It is essential to go through an explicit process with all key management layers and members of staff to decide, clarify and interpret what values you as a company, as a leader and as an employee want to stand for and promise and deliver to your clients and stakeholders.

It is only what gets measured that counts….

Integration of values into performance apprasials, coaching and customer interaction and strategies will make the difference. Being serious about choosing, defining and clarifying values is step one, step two is living them and being accountable and responsible. When we are consistently mirrored and measured by our peers, managers and ourselves, we sense and feel the importance of the matter and want to make a difference.

The carrot and the stick

We all know that when we are (a)praised for the good things we are doing we continue to do these, where positive and constructive attention is given to, helps growth. Instead of looking at all that needs to improve, one first little step can be for managers to praise the good examples and behaviours of values being lived by their employees. Regular coaching and learning sessions for situations where values and consistant interpretations are challenged is also a constructive and inspiring way to developing the behaviour you wish your clients to experience through your employees.

For more information on faciliating and managing this process of becoming a value driven high performing organization, feel free to contact me for more details.