Develop Core Values

One of the stabilizing and most beneficial things you can do is develop core values. This is a set of words that emerge from and represent your corporate culture, and they evoke an emotional state in individuals. Leaders recognize the value of stated and lived-by values in recruiting and retaining the best people, volunteers included. If a potential employee or volunteer doesn’t “get” your values, they don’t fit; they don’t get in and you avert a problem.

Knowing your Core Values stimulates the development of an intentional culture that will deliver your strategy. Should you focus on planning, developing a strategy, and then think about your corporate culture? As Peter Drucker said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” If you can not develop, or should not develop both simultaneously, define the culture first.

How does having Core Values clarified and published work for you? As Roy Disney said, ”When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.”

Watch this informative short video interview of Zappos CEO on using values to hore the right people.

Once in a while, a director or employee will be faced with a circumstance they’ve never before encountered. There are no answers in policies or in procedures, and there’s no mentor, senior associate, or supervisor around to ask what to do. They will do what they think is right. When they know the core values, the values guide them and what they will be ”right” according to your culture.

Many organizations do this exercise themselves. I can help. I’ll provide the process, review your progress and results, and guide you through it start to finish. You’ll save time and keep doing what you do best. I’ll:

• Help you choose a bottom-up or top-down approach.
• Provide survey forms and collect the responses. When appropriate, use a private group on LinkedIn.
• Hold conference calls and Web-based meetings to clarify the process for management and the board.
• Facilitate the development of facilitators on your team.
• Assist in placing the Core Values in the right documentation.
• Guide the kick off off and implementation.

Total project, six months,   $1,900.

Call now 850-559-7094 to discuss your ideas; we’ll develop a customized program for you, or click here to request a free proposal via email.