What are your organization's values and vision?

What are your organization's values and vision?

Does your company have values or vision statements? Have you ever had any training on them? Sometimes, they are rolled together as Unifying Principles. Still, they have fallen out of favor because they are often haphazardly prepared. Even then, employees need to be made aware of them, and leaders need to reinforce them. That's a shame because values and vision are closely wound and the foundation of your culture.

Leaders choose values

Like your personal values, organizational values are the enduring guiding principles of your organization. They are who you are as a team and are the foundation of behavior, action, and habits. You should only have a handful, and the leaders should develop them. They should be simple but descriptive. If you don't have any or need to be sure yours are on target, each leader can pick out an employee they think is the embodiment of the organization and write down three to five qualities that make them so. Then, discuss them amongst the leaders and decide which values you want to build your business on going forward. Add a sentence of context to each. Publish them, put them on the walls, and start all employee training with a review. Sounds corny? It works.

Leaders paint the vision

Your organizational vision should be an aspirational description of what you want to be in as much detail as possible. If you're an entrepreneur just starting, be bold but as realistic as possible and set a date to come back to review in six months. Your vision should include your revenue goals, target market, ideal client, three- and five-year pictures, and even a ten-year target. The vision is the end state you're striving to attain. When everyone in the organization can see that end state, they can plan and act according to their roles. Well-communicated values and vision put everyone on the team against the same opponent, productivity improves, turnover decreases, and goals are precise. They will go with you when you tell someone where you're going.

Leader: Do you measure up?

This week, pick out a teammate or employee you think is perfect. Write down the values they demonstrate that make you think so. Do you measure up? If you're a leader, compare them against your company's values; if not, write them up and take them to the next leadership meeting. Well-developed values and vision will improve your culture and your bottom line.

Remember, "all things are possible through prayer and heavy deadlifts."™

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