Shared by Sarah Marshall, Co-Founder of humanworks8
Meet Sarah Marshall, Co-Founder and Experience Architect at humanworks8, where she shapes the way organizations conceive communication, culture, and people experience.
Introduction
Your organization is truly unique. There’s no other business with your people or your vision. No other business shows up like you.
Are your organizational core values reflective of that uniqueness? Do they energize you? Are they words you know by heart and actions you demonstrate daily? Are your organizational values something you’re proud to share?
Core values aren’t meant to be jargon found in a handbook or on an office wall. They’re not meant to check a box, nor are they meant to be “professional virtues” chosen from a list of common words. Yet, this is exactly what most organizations have as their core values. Did you know that over 50% of Fortune 500 companies share the core value “Integrity?”
The Case for Company Core Values
Core values establish expectations for how every individual in your organization interacts with others, whether colleagues, customers, candidates, or community members. Core values set you apart from your competitors and connect you with others who share the same values. They guide decision-making, giving you confidence in determining what you will and won’t do as a business.
Core values can win customers, guide the exit of an employee, drive your policies, help your organization thrive through challenges, and more. But good business words like “innovation” or “integrity” won’t get you there. Your core values need to be great.
What makes a great core value?
Great core values are three things:
- Gutsy – A great core value represents the real, authentic you…from the guts.
- Unique – A great core value is distinctly you, and no one else. Your organization is unlike any other.
- Active – A great core value is something you can do. It’s a verb.
If your values meet those criteria, it’s likely they won’t fall into these traps:
- Values that are too aspirational, highlighting who you wish you were but currently aren’t.
- Values that don’t apply to everyone, all the time. Core values should apply to every individual in the organization, no exceptions.
- Values that are simply the bare minimum expectation for the workplace – integrity or honesty. You wouldn’t hire someone who isn’t honest, would you?
Once your core values have been uncovered – remember, they already exist whether written down or not – they need to come to life internally. Values done right become a common language and are evident throughout everything the business does that impacts people.
Start by giving core values some explanation. Short descriptions give color to the single word or short phrase that represents each value. Then turn them into something visually appealing. Ask yourself: What would these values look like on a t-shirt?
Three Companies with Great Core Values
These values from humanworks8 clients are examples of core values that are gutsy, unique and active.
City of Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie, WI
Show Up, Step Up: Immerse yourself in the city and be all in for our community, excited to serve. Take pride and make an impact.
Find a Way: Bring energy and curiosity. Demonstrate commitment as you embrace change. Nothing is impossible – run with it.
Collaborative Heart: Love the team environment you create. Listen, lead, and nurture connection. Back each other up and address challenges as a team.
Guide & Grow: Be an expert and a coach. Let competence inspire confidence. Grow as an individual alongside the city.
Shine: Be true to yourself. Show respect and compassion for all. Speak and act authentically, and laugh often.
Miron Construction Co., Inc., Neenah, WI
Stay Grounded: Be authentic, lead with humility and recognize the needs of others. Care for one another and extend a helping hand wherever it’s needed. Honor our history.
Think Big: Learn from each experience, challenge historic thinking, continually seek a better way, and expand our capabilities.
Rally Together: Get involved, respond with urgency and work as a team to get the job done. Leverage the strengths of each individual and overcome obstacles as one.
Dig Deep: Bring the passion, keep moving forward, and stay focused on the results. Champion the competitive spirit, make the most of every opportunity, and stay hungry.
Build Legacies: Deliver unmatched quality, create meaningful connections, and craft unforgettable experiences in everything we do. Capture what truly matters and find ways to inspire.
ABD Direct, Milwaukee, WI
Know Your World: Bring your knowledge and expertise. Deliver the details in pursuit of the big picture. Stay informed and organized. Communicate with excellence.
Remain Resolute: Show up, engage, and own your actions. Lead with unrelenting energy. Commit and follow through.
Shatter Limitations: Chase the challenge and embrace change. Stay curious and calm under pressure. Question the status quo, exceed expectations.
Be Real: Be open and receptive – consider all sides. Demonstrate unquestionable authenticity and intentionality in all you do. Get invested, get involved.
Forward Together: Invite collaboration. Recognize the contributions of each member of the team. Be a mentor. Do your part, share the credit.
Bringing to Life Your Company’s Core Values
Organizations with gutsy, unique and active core values can bring them to life across all company practices that touch people – their people touchpoints. Consider how your values come to life in these areas:
- Belonging
- Communications
- Leadership Development
- Performance Management
- Strategic Planning
- Talent Discovery & Optimization
- Teamwork
- Transition & Change
Using core values as a foundation for these eight practices elevates employee engagement and gives both confidence and direction to leadership as they chart a course for their vision. These efforts continue to differentiate the organization, set the expectation for how the organization’s people interact and connect them to not only to each other, but to a greater purpose.
If your organization is ready to renew values language, we’d love to join the conversation! Reach out to us to get connected.
