Why company values should be personal

In the fast-paced world of business, it’s astonishingly easy to overlook the compass that should guide our organisations—our core values. Do you truly know and live your company’s core values? What about your employees and clients?

Why Core Values Matter:

Most businesses treat core values as a box to check rather than a guiding light. They often exist only in the depths of an employee manual or are mentioned sporadically in team meetings. However, organisations that centre their operations on authentic core values create a culture by design. The benefits are remarkable—focus, resilience, cohesion, success, and, importantly, happiness.

Living Your Values:

It’s not just about what you do but more about how you do it. This “How” is deeply rooted in your vision, mission, and core values.

Discovering and Nurturing Core Values:

Whether at a personal or organisational level, core values should mirror who you aim to be at your very best. What matters most to you? What are you truly proud of? What values do you admire in others? Identifying these values is the foundational step to aligning them with your organisation’s essence.

The Influence of Company Values:

Company values go beyond mere words. They guide a company’s culture, employee management, customer interactions, and decision-making. They provide employees with purpose, promote teamwork, and define the organisation. Strong values set an organisation apart from competitors and serve as guiding beacons.

Leading by Example:

The responsibility of crafting and embodying company values lies with senior leadership and HR. Values should be a way of life, not just empty rhetoric, for them to become an integral part of the organisation’s fabric.

Illustrations from Leading Companies:

Companies like Comcast, Airbnb, Microsoft, Lululemon, Nike, Apple, and Coca-Cola exemplify the power of simple yet impactful core values. They intertwine these values with their actions and initiatives, aligning their business objectives with their principles.

Leading with your values is a strategic imperative that can define your organisation’s trajectory. It’s not just about the ‘What,’ but equally about the ‘How’—the principles, core values, and actions that breathe life into your purpose. So, do you know your values, and are you ready to lead with them?