Values are important in life and business. They are the foundation upon which our beliefs and actions are based. In the workplace, it is essential to establish core values and communicate them to employees. This will help to create a unified team that is driven by common goals and principles.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of core values in the workplace and provide tips on how to effectively communicate them to employees. We’ll also provide some tips on how to maintain these core values over time.
The Importance of Company Core Values in the Workplace
Core values are the basic beliefs of a person or organization. These guiding principles dictate how we behave and make decisions. In the workplace, core values help to set the tone for how employees interact with each other and with customers. They also play a role in shaping the culture of an organization.
There are many benefits to having clearly defined core values in the workplace.
For one, it helps to create a sense of unity among employees. Core values give everyone a common goal to strive for and provide a standard by which we can measure our actions. They also help to promote a positive work environment and build trust between employees and management.
Another benefit of having core values is that they can help to attract and retain top talent. Candidates who share the same values as an organization are more likely to be a good fit and stay with the company for the long haul. Core values also help to create a sense of loyalty among employees.
Finally, core values provide direction during times of change or crisis. They act as a compass, guiding us back to our North Star when things get tough.
How Many Core Values Should a Company Have?
There is no magic number when it comes to the number of core values a company should have. However, it is important to keep them manageable. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than five core values.
When writing these core values, it is important that you also write down why these are your core values and why they are important to your company. This will help lay the foundation for communicating and maintaining them for years to come.
5 Tips for Promoting and Communicating Core Values in the Workplace
1. Keep them simple and easy to remember: When communicating core values to employees, it is important to be clear and concise. They should be easy to remember and understand. They should also be relevant to the work that employees do.
2. Post them in multiple visible locations: Common areas such as the main entrance, the break room, or the lobby make great locations. You can also include them in employee handbooks or on your company website. Core values can also be communicated during new hire orientation or team-building exercises.
3. Live and breathe your values: It is important to live and breathe your core values. As a leader, you should model the behavior that you want to see in your employees. If you value teamwork, be sure to work collaboratively with your team. If you value customer service, go above and beyond to exceed customer expectations. By living your values, you will inspire others to do the same.
4. Review them regularly: Review the core values with yourself, your leadership team, and your employees on a regular basis. Be sure that these core values are represented in everything you do, from writing internal emails to onboarding new clients. Maintaining core values over time can be challenging, but it is important to regularly review them and ensure that they are still relevant. Revisit them every year or whenever there is a significant change in the workplace like a company buyout or a leadership change.
5. Keep the why in mind: Just as it is important to review your core values, it is of equal importance to remember why these are your core values. Keeping the why in everyone’s mind will create a sense of wholeness, direction, and unity.
Team Building and Core Values
Company Core values are important for team building because they help create a sense of unity and purpose. Core values can be used to determine what kind of behavior is acceptable and what is not. They can also help team members resolve conflicts. Core values should be included in the team’s charter or set of rules.
You can implement them in team building activities like Squad Games, Game of Drones, and Corporate Survivor. These types of fun and educational team building activities will build internal relationships and company culture.
Some companies use core values as a way to select employees. They may use values-based interviews or include values-based questions on employment applications. Use them to create a positive work environment and company culture.
When team members know and buy into the company’s core values, they are more likely to be productive and committed to their work. It can help to create a sense of pride in the company and its employees.
How to Track The Results of Your Company’s Core Values
There are a few ways to track the results of your company’s core values. One way is to measure employee satisfaction and retention rates. Core values can also be included in performance reviews.
You can also solicit feedback from employees on how well they feel the company is living up to its core values. Finally, you can hold periodic town hall meetings to discuss the company’s progress in living up to its values.
Examples of Powerful Company Core Values
Some well-known companies with strong core values include Google, Ben & Jerry’s, and Patagonia. These companies are known for their unique cultures and commitment to their employees and customers. Core values are an important part of what makes these organizations successful.
Google’s core values are “Focus on the user and all else will follow,” “Fast is better than slow,” “Democracy on the web works,” “You can be serious without a suit,” and “Great just isn’t good enough.”
Patagonia’s core values are “Do the right thing,” “Be considerate of others,” and “Simplify.”
Ben & Jerry’s has six core values: “Product, People, Planet, Profits, Partnership, and Progress.”
Here are a few other examples of strong company core values:
- Integrity
- Respect
- Excellence
- Teamwork
- Innovation
Final Thoughts
Core values are important for the workplace because they help to attract and retain top talent, create a sense of loyalty among employees, and provide direction during times of change or crisis.
If you’re interested in exploring engaging team building activities that will speak to your company’s core values, be sure to check out TeamBonding’s portfolio.
All our activities are designed to produce a favorable outcome such as improved communication, building trust among team members, or empowering your people to think creatively.
We can also customize each event to your team’s specific needs. Contact us today to explore more options.
