Don’t Design Your Company Values—Discover Them

Talent Talks, formerly The Talent Revolution

Tom's Notes:

Remember the company values your organization put on the wall somewhere? Hopefully you do, but the odds are that you don’t. Studies show that most employees don’t know what their company’s core values are. Many organizations struggle to define their values, but it’s essential to get them right—and not just because companies “should” have them.

If your company selected values because you “had to” have them, you’re making a classic mistake—and you probably picked the wrong ones.

Company values only matter if they are unique and meaningful. Could an employee look at your list of values and recognize the company behind them? If the answer’s no, your values aren’t unique or meaningful enough to be truly important.

Everyone should know their company values for two main reasons: to make sure they’re in the right place, and to make the right decisions for the business.

So how do you create values that are meaningful and actually a part of your business?

• If you don’t have them, get them.
• Values are a team exercise not just a mirror of the CEO's behaviors.
• If you’re stuck, steal ideas from another company.
• There is no perfect number of values.
• Incorporate your values in every employee touchpoint.
• It’s okay to change them.

Want to win a free copy of Debra's latest book, Bringing Your Values Out to Play 📚? Simply email [e-mail] with your name and physical mailing address to be entered.

PLUS: We're giving away 1 free copy of Debra's DIY values tool kit. Reply with your name and let us know you want to enter to win the DIY values tool kit!

Links from this weeks episode:
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
Valve Handbook
Bring Your Values Out to Play by Debra Corey
Zappos Values
Debra's DIY Values Toolkit
Free Chapter from Bring Your Values Out to Play

Listen to other episodes next:
Episode 10 - Bryan Adams
Episode 9 - Recruit Your Ideal Candidate in 3 Steps