Too often organisational values end up being meaningless from an operational perspective. In no way do they relate to the the day to day operation of the organisation.

This is because they are not explicitly used to help staff make decisions. If you are responsible for a team when was the last time you conducted a conversation with your team regarding how they have used the organisation’s values to help them make a decision?

It isn’t hard to do. Simply ask the question.

Go on, do it. I promise it won’t hurt.

The outcome of these conversations is that the values start to have a clearer meaning. Staff begin to understand what they really look and feel like in practice, which is where they really matter.

Meaningful organisational values will help staff to make effective decisions for the organisation. Who wouldn’t want that outcome.

How do you keep your organisation’s values alive?