Every organization (ideally) has well defined values which are basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate attitudes and actions. They are a set of guiding principles which requires no external justification or validation, they have their own intrinsic meaning and importance in the organization. Values are the motive behind purposeful action. They are the ends to which we act in order to achieve our desired goals.
Ultimate goal of most organizations is to enjoy success. Organizations that enjoy enduring success have core values that remains unchanged while the company is adopting to new strategies & practices to walk along with the changing world. These values help them connected with the foundation principals and provides constant motivation for the people to work endlessly with new world without changing their roots & beliefs.
Values are the essential and enduring tenets of an organization. The company decides what are its core values depending upon the purpose and environment. As the values are defined with the intention to uphold the business, it will surely help and serve the business in many different ways.
Let’s compare the business environment with our armed forces, in general it will be really difficult to compare their commitment to goals with the business environment in which we operate. Have you ever wondered why are they so committed? Simple answer can be, most of the time they have only two choices – Kill or get killed.
When you are so clear about the goal (and it’s impact) it becomes easy for you to form strategies; imagine being on the battle field, where opponents are ready to attack you from each side, will you wait for the opponents to attack to form the strategy? Or would you call headquarter while someone is pointing gun towards you? No! you will definitely change your actions according to the demand of situation.
Similary, in our businesses if our team has ultimate clarity on their goals and it’s impact on the business; most of the time they would take right move in the strategy to keep winning! Your first step towards empowerment.
But empowering also increases the risk! How do we help team take right decisions?
Continuing with the story of war – assume your armed forces have conquered the fort – what next? Shall they continue firing the killing machine? (That’s what they are trained for!) While your purpose and (mission goals) encourages them to kill the opponent to protect their motherland or group of people – the values tells them that killing “innocent” is not good!
While it’s true that (most) organizations spend significant time in defining their values, it’s also important for management to ensure that these values are clearly understood by every individual in their organization.
The process can multiply the journey of empowering your teams!
To back our thoughts on how can values help the individual, we did a survey with employees of some of the leading companies and asked a simple question:
Question – How do you think values can help business?
-
– Take right decisions
– Frame desired culture
– Identify what’s wrong
– All three
– No-where
And this is what we found!
Stand Strong and Value your Values – that’s what your people want, they intend to make right decisions, educate and collaborate with them!
Author:
Parth Hirani, is leading a strategic advisory practice at J.Hirani & has helped various organizations align strategies across continents. A social & collaborative sapien by nature. He enjoys being a full time “dreamer” & loves challenging “possibilities”.
Success mantra- “We believe it’s possible; while maintaining flexibility on “How” we are “Rigid” on our “Goals”
Heli Shah, an MBA graduate is associated with J.Hirani as a Business Analyst. She is fresh soul with humble and optimistic approach who is working in different industries like Manufacturing, Retail, and Hospitality etc. Flexibility and greediness in learning new things helps her to conquer the challenges coming on her way.
About J.hirani: J.hirani is a Strategic Transformation team which works as a growth partner for different organisations in various industries by providing services like Agile transformation, Scenario mapping, Strategic alignment, Balance scorecard, Digital transformation, Incubating new ventures, Operation excellence and Aligning human capital.
©J.hirani, Why to Value your Values?, May, 2021. All rights reserved
