Defining the values that your company stands for is an important step to establish a clear direction and purpose for your organization, and for your recognition programs. By setting clear company values, you are taking the first step towards a culture that aligns with your vision, mission, and goals. Here's an exercise that can help you define the values that matter most to your company:
- Begin by brainstorming a list of values that you believe are important for your company. Ask yourself what your company stands for and what principles you want to guide your decision-making. For example, you may, as an organization, value honesty, creativity, teamwork, or customer satisfaction. Write each value on a separate sticky note or index card.
- Once you've created a list of values, group similar values together and label each group with a broad category, such as "Integrity" or "Innovation." This will help you see patterns and identify broader themes.
- Narrow down your list to the top 3-5 values that you feel are most important for your company to embody. These should be the values that are essential to your company's mission and purpose. Save your additional sticky notes or index cards for reference later when you begin building your Badges.
- For each chosen value, write a brief statement that defines what that value means for your company and how it could be reflected in your company culture. Give examples of what this might look like if someone were to exhibit behavior associated with that value within your organization. This will not only help you articulate the value in a way that is meaningful and relevant to your organization, but it will also be a starting point for communicating criteria for sending recognition.
- Share your final list of company values with your stakeholders and encourage feedback and discussion. This is a great opportunity to get input from your colleagues and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Remember, your company values should be more than just words on a page. They will ultimately be guideposts for your company culture, reflected in your employee’s actions, and will be used to aid in decision-making at all levels of the organization. By defining your company values, you can begin to create a shared sense of purpose that inspires your employees and gives your company a solid foundation to build upon.