Can a Values Statement Benefit Your Organization?

Can a "Values Statement" Benefit Your Organization?

9/15/2017

Picture of Ma'at representing values and principles

Picture: The Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) Goddess Ma'at represents the oldest known system of values and principles.

Can a values statement benefit your organization? If so, how? Find out in this short blog post.

Values like “communication”, “respect”, “integrity”, and “excellence” sound great for an organization, right? They may even resemble your organization’s values. If so, you may need a revision because these are the corporate values of Enron, as stated in their 2000 annual report. Luckily, you are in the right place to create or recreate values for your organization that are sincere and not just a hollow list of words that sound good.

As we all know, Enron did not embody any of these values. Like Enron, many companies fail to develop a set of values that are honest, meaningful, and a true representative of their organization. A lot of time is spent brainstorming, developing, and revising values that do not speak to the organization’s culture or how they operate. As a values-centered organization, it is crucial that your values align with your organization’s cultural perspectives.

So what is a value statement? An organization’s values, or their value statement, is the very essence in what the organization believes is important. It is the guiding principles that dictate how the organization treats the people involved within the organization and how they treat their clients. When the whole organization believes in its values and those values are implemented and embedded in the culture, the organization is bound for success.

To develop such a set of values or a values statement, an organization should follow these simple guidelines:

Five to seven values. As a guideline your values list should not exceed seven. The objective is to create a list of your organization’s core values.
More than one word. To avoid just listing a hollow set of values, it is best for your organization to create a statement that explains the value. For example, an organization may say they value respect. A statement of how and who the organization respects would be more meaningful.
Shared ideas. The entire staff of your organization should be involved in the process of creating the values statement. Everyone has different values that they live by. Your organization should be a set of shared values that everyone can agree upon and follow.

Check out Ujamaa Solutions core values to see an example of a values statement.

Once your value statement is constructed, it is important that it is used. Don’t create values for your organization just to check it off the to-do list as something every organization is supposed to do. Values shouldn’t just sit on a shelf somewhere collecting dust. Owners and management should communicate the importance of the organization’s values through training, reinforcement, and rewards or consequences.

An organization’s values and principles are meant to guide the behavior of the organization and align with the decisions it makes. Empty words on the wall or on the organization’s website are boring and difficult to embed into the culture of the organization. They don’t give any specific direction. As a values-centered organization, an authentic set of values that are in harmony with your culture may give you a competitive advantage over companies that are only superficial at their core.

Does your organization have a values statement? Why? Let us know in the comments.

Contact us if you are interested in creating a values statement for your organization.

Author

Cera Ridley is a Partner/Business Engineer at Ujamaa Solutions LLC and is committed to helping clients build sustainable Pan-Afrikan organizations through strategy and organization design. cera@ujamaasolutions.com

28 Comments

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Nzinga link

9/16/2017 11:57:03 am

This article is inspiring. I hadn't thought to create a vision statement, until now. In the very near future, this is something that I will begin to work on (and share).

I also like that you mention that the vision statement should be worked out by everyone in the company/business. Not only this, but it shouldn't simply be words but actions that the business operates from. Great article!

Cera Ridley link

9/16/2017 12:52:58 pm

Thank you for the kind words. A lot of times we jump into business not really thinking through and actually articulating what our values are as an organization. This is a critical step because it sets the tone for our organization's culture and is one of the main things that should guide our decision making.

Let us know if you need any help with your values statement and we wish you the best.

Jayne Roberts-Stinson link

9/16/2017 12:03:28 pm

This is wonderful! I am so impressed with the organization and the work you have devoted to the overall work. It has just the right combination for thought provoking discussions for groups in developing and implementing new programs/operations and/or the expansion of already operating businesses.

Thanks for sharing!

9/16/2017 12:55:43 pm

Thank you so much! We look forward to bringing more thought provoking discussions and implementing the work.

Again, thank you for your feedback.

9/16/2017 01:35:49 pm

Very good article. Thank you for your insight.

9/16/2017 03:25:45 pm

Thank you LS!

Anthony Lindo

9/16/2017 01:53:01 pm

Values and Principles are the corner stone of any organization or civilization. They are the abstract ideals that each individual within the organization thrives to obtain. They are the glue that hold the collective together, and must be enforced by the individual including the Executives, Investors, or even vendors. We are the vessels by which these abstract ideals are manifested in the material realm. Using words, just because it sounds or looks good are words without substance and by nature are bound for the fire.

I look forward to provided my humble opinion to this blog. Great Job guys.

9/16/2017 03:34:51 pm

Great comment. Thank you for your feedback. Let's continue to bring what we strive to be into actuality. Ideals aligned with actions :-)

Cheryl Pettawsy-Colvin link

9/16/2017 04:14:17 pm

Thank you - your timing is that of precision! I am just at a point of creating a statement!!!

May I have permission to share with others?

9/16/2017 04:41:45 pm

Yes, thank you. Please share. And let us know if you need any help with your values statement.

Freya

9/16/2017 08:48:06 pm

Great blog. I'm inspired to revisit my values and share them. Right now they are internal knowledge only, but I really like how you shared your values on the site.

9/16/2017 09:12:16 pm

Thank you Freya! Glad we could be an inspiration. I think sharing your values is important. It's a great way to be transparent with all of your key stakeholders and allows your organization to be held accountable. Everyone from your employees to customers and suppliers are able to see if what your organization says it values is truly being demonstrated.

Again thank you, and let us know if we can be of any help with revisiting your values.

Abena

9/17/2017 08:52:28 pm

This article inspired me to think about how my peronal values can applied into my personal business in written form. Sometimes thinking about how I want my business to work and writting it down gets lost in corporate jargon. This is a good reminder to remember culture first and write from the heart. Thankhs

9/17/2017 09:07:46 pm

Abena, thank you for your comment. Our businesses are extensions of ourselves, so incorporating your personal values is ideal. I think and feel that when we do come from the heart and express that, people respect and appreciate that authenticity.

Again, thank you for your feedback.

Martin Glin link

9/18/2017 09:33:21 am

This article is extremely helpful. I love the way you break down it so simple. I immediately am updating our values statement. Culture is so important. And this article gave me better I sight on writing our values statement. Thank you

9/18/2017 02:21:50 pm

You are welcome Martin Glin. I'm glad the article is helpful. We look forward to continuing to bring more helpful content and insights that you can use.

Gloria Jean Royster

9/19/2017 02:47:20 am

I found this blog entry inspiring. I don't have an organization, but I belong to a civic one. I am encouraged and motivated to inspire us to develop a values statement. Moreover, my aha moment came when I realized I must create a value statement in my work as a writer, which is my business. Thank you. I can't wait!

9/19/2017 02:24:27 pm

Thank you Gloria Jean Royster for your comment. The great thing about a values statement is that we can use them not only in our organizations but in our personal lives as well. In both situations, our values help guide our decision making.

Anita Jackson

9/19/2017 05:01:05 am

I am excited about this journey that you are taking with this company. A vision statement is important and necessary when handling business affairs. I wish you all the success with this and many more future business endeavors.

9/19/2017 02:25:43 pm

Thank you Anita! We greatly appreciate your kind words and support.

Angel

9/20/2017 05:06:12 am

Very thoughtful article. I would add an organization's values should be leveraged in the hiring process. Seeking candidates that embody these values, and even weaving them into interview questions, establishes the expectation of shared, actionable values. Communicate their significance at the genesis of the employer/employee relationship and align them with individual performance expectations, and you may find an organization that lives your values in every interaction and decision.

Mark Pegues link

9/20/2017 08:17:00 am

Great point Angel. With HR being so critical to an organization's performance, weaving values into the hiring process would most likely increase the chances of hiring team members that fit the organization's culture. Awesome feedback!

Darryl Ward

9/22/2017 10:54:45 pm

Great article! Just as you noted, many companies have a generic listing of values that simply serve as checklist item, no different than other business requirements like licenses/permits and a federal employment identification number. Your tips on how to make company values worthwhile are very helpful -- and easy to do!

What are your thoughts on how often values should be updated? I'm fairly convinced my employers' values are well over a decade old... is that too old? How many years is too few for an update?

I think part of what causes companies to target these generic values is that the communications/HR team is striving to come of with a list of timeless qualities, and in doing so they conjure up a catalog of ideal traits that anyone would aspire to in any year.

9/23/2017 11:03:09 am

Darryl, thank you for your comment and you pose a great question. Organizations should review their values whenever there is a major change or when they enter a different life-cycle stage. Often core values never change and are life-long. If there are any changes, they should be independent of trends.

Thanks again for your comment!

Doreen Larkin link

9/23/2017 10:17:57 am

Thanks for making me interested in going to review and revise if necessary.
Keep the blogs coming. I hope to gain more insights from you to apply to my organization as necessary.

9/23/2017 11:11:52 am

Thank you Doreen! I'm glad the post was helpful and we intend to bring more valuable information organizations can use.

Thanks again.

Tiffany R

9/26/2017 12:22:27 pm

Awesome read! This is so true. Nothing worse than having a useless values statement that collects dust on a shelf. Adding to that frustration is when leadership solicits input and collaboration from their team to create these values and then completely ignore them. For example, I worked for an educational organization and as a team we decided that we would prioritize experiential learning over accomodating superficial student preferences. But when it came down to it, leadership decided that "money talks" and let students do what they wanted, skipping the learning process and ignoring our stated values. Needless to say, staff became frustrated and turnover was high. Sound advice to avoid this type of situation.

9/26/2017 03:50:54 pm

Wow, Tiffany, this is a great example of what not to do. I appreciate your input. Setting aside your values just to make money comes with some serious trade-offs. In this case, poor staff morale, high turnover, and I would imagine this affected the students as well. So in the end, is it worth it?

Again, thank you for your comment.

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