Today’s insights are brought to you by my colleague and Future of People expert Buhle Dlamini.
If I ask you to show me a great person, you will show me someone who is driven by a great set of values. The same applies to organisations and teams. Values are the foundation for greatness in any field. If you study great leaders, great sports teams, or great companies throughout history, at the root of all their successes there’s often an unmistakable code that they live by. A code that sets them apart from the rest.
In “Unleashing Your Greatness” I speak to teams about ‘Living Your Values’ as a third key to setting yourself apart from the competition. Values, when fully embedded into our ethos, shape our behaviours in profound and remarkable ways that make it impossible to ignore.
My favourite Maya Angelou quote is: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Values are like that, they are more than just what we say in our marketing, they are integral to the essence of who we are, and they leave a lasting impression on everyone we deal with.
Values don’t only make individuals great but can help whole teams and organisations unleash their greatness as well. Great leaders and managers pay close attention to the values they set to inform and drive the culture of their teams.
The Significance of Values
Company values are the guiding principles that shape an organisation’s behaviour, decisions, and interactions. They serve as a compass, helping employees understand what the company stands for and how they should contribute to its mission. Values can contribute to a winning company culture in these ways:
1. Alignment: Values align the actions and behaviours of all team members with the company’s mission and vision. This alignment fosters a sense of purpose and direction among employees.
2. Employee Engagement: When employees resonate with an organisation’s values, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. They find meaning in their work, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
3. Decision-Making: Values provide a framework for decision-making. They help employees make choices that are in line with the company’s long-term goals and ethical standards.
4. Attraction and Retention: A well-defined set of values attracts individuals who share those same values. This ensures that the company is composed of like-minded people who are more likely to thrive in the organisation.
Values are the foundation of a winning company culture. They provide a clear sense of purpose, guide decision-making, and attract like-minded individuals.
Leaders and managers play a pivotal role in embedding company values into the daily routines and practices of their teams. They can lead by example, consistently demonstrating the values through their actions and decisions. Effective communication is key; leaders should regularly discuss and celebrate instances where employees have exemplified these values.
Additionally, integrating values into performance evaluations and recognising employees who uphold them reinforces their importance. Encouraging open dialogue and feedback channels allows staff to voice concerns or suggest improvements related to the values, fostering a sense of ownership.
By consistently reinforcing values and creating a supportive environment, leaders and managers can inspire staff adoption and ensure that these principles become an integral part of the organisation’s culture.
There is a heartwarming example of a Starbucks barista named Josie who exemplified the company’s values. Starbucks is known for its commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Josie, an employee at a Starbucks store, went above and beyond to ensure this value was realised.
One day, a deaf customer came into the store and faced difficulty communicating their order. Instead of getting flustered, Josie took the time to learn a few basic sign language phrases to assist the customer effectively. This small but profound act of kindness not only made the customer’s day but also resonated with other patrons and garnered positive attention on social media.
Starbucks embraced Josie’s actions, showcasing them as an embodiment of their values, and it reinforced their image as a socially conscious and inclusive brand. The positive customer experiences generated not only loyalty but also increased store traffic, positively impacting revenue.
To Unleash Your Team’s Greatness focus on living your values. Communicate your values at every opportunity; talk about the behaviours that are in line with your values and celebrate them whenever they are lived out. What is expressed, practiced, and celebrated gets embedded and adopted. It can’t just be in your strategy documents and website, it needs to be integrated into your meetings, your performance reviews, your everyday actions and staff recognition.
If you’re ready to unleash your team’s greatness, live your values and Be Who You Be to set yourself apart.
You can purchase Buhle’s book “Unleashing Your Greatness” here or book him for a presentation!
Buhle Dlamini speaks globally to teams on “Unleashing Your Greatness” to inspire them with keys to set yourself apart in a crowded marketplace.
Unleashing Your Greatness has been utilised by multinational corporations and organisations all over the world with raving reviews. This presentation is based on his book by the same name.
Buhle is in South Africa from the 22nd September to the 10th October so chat with me about booking Buhle for your upcoming conference or event then, alternatively he is available globally or virtually throughout the year
About the author of today’s email – Buhle Dlamini.
The way we think about people working together in organisations continues to change. We need to apply new ways of thinking about all aspects of people working together: Teamwork, Organisational Culture, Belonging, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. That’s what the future of people is about!
Buhle Dlamini is an expert on the Future of People, helping organizations unleash the greatness of their people through keynotes, workshops and tailored engagements.