Live and work by the values you preach...

March 15^th was known in ancient Roman times as a day of settling debts; the Romans believed in the principle of ‘I give that you might give’ and the importance of prayer, ritual, and sacrifice. Two thousand years ago, they believed in the importance of their values, and all these years later we still believe in the importance of personal and corporate values. Like the ones I write about in these messages:

·      Pride

·      Loyalty

·      Passion

·      Integrity

·      Flexibility

·      Excellence 

·      Teamwork

·      Innovation

·      Responsibility

·      Professionalism

·      Personal Involvement

·      Following the Golden Rule

 

I work with companies to develop mission, vision, and values statements and I tell them up front that their values must be more than words. Like:

 

·      Including them in your job descriptions and postings – letting applicants and employees know that work is rooted in the company’s values. 

·      Including them in your performance management programs – explaining how the work they do conforms with or needs improvement to live up to the company’s values. 

·      Including them in employee reward and recognition programs – spotlighting and honoring employees for being role-models of the company’s values. 

 

These are just a few of the ways you can bring your company’s values to life and to give them meaning within the context of the work employees do. Put on your thinking cap and find more ways to help your employees find and appreciate your company’s values today.

 

Charles Dodgson (1832 – 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, illustrator, poet, mathematician, photographer, teacher, and inventor. His most notable works are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass.