Company Values

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Happy Wednesday Friends,

Purpose, values, mission - they’re just fluff! 
Or are they?
There is a reason why the biggest and most successful companies on the planet set deliberate values and a mission statement.

When your values are clear, making decisions becomes easier.

Your customers will not care about your values BUT your values can impact how your teams care about your customers.

Values help guide a company toward a better version of itself. In a company, you set values to guide a group of individuals. Values are the foundation for direction and growth.

Over my career, I’ve worked for companies that didn’t believe in values. I’ve worked for companies that put values all over the walls but didn’t bother living them. I am pretty sure you can run a successful business without core values but can setting values help? 100%! 

I think values are important and worth the time to decide and implement them. When your business is young you’ll need them to keep people motivated. When you’re bigger you’ll need them to make sure the people you’re hiring will fit into your culture.
The process of creating company values is as varied as the individual values themselves.

There are hundreds of ways you can go about building your company's core values. My suggestion would be to simplify the process. It’s not something you can do overnight. But, if you’re intentional with the culture and direction you want for your company you’ll get them done right.

Reasons For Values

Before anything else, values come first. Without clear, shared values, we wander independently and contradict one another. Everything’s more challenging when we all believe different things about what’s important to the company.

What do Values Look Like?

This is a tough one. Values can be anything from a single word to a paragraph. Sometimes they’re quotes (which I love) and sometimes they’re phrases. The only structure I am averse to is single-word values. You know these too well I am sure.

• Integrity

• Compassion

• Trust

• Loyalty

• Vomit in my mouth!

• These are too fluffy. 

I am not inspired! And, your teams won’t be either.
Words can be interpreted in many ways and mean something different to each person. 

What’s Worked For Me

Over many years, many startups, many mentors and many more average leaders. I’ve been collecting values. Most of them were values that resonated with me. I’ve thought about what would inspire but also guide a team during both good and hard times. 

My values are a short, memorable phrase. Then I’ve backed those up with a story. This helps give clarity and doesn't leave room for interpretation.

1. Start with about 15 phrases. 

2. Present them to your teams - explain how and why you’ve chosen each one.

3. Then, get your team to vote and try to narrow the list to 6/7.

4.  Now it’s up to you as the founder or CEO to make the final decision.

5. Present the final 3-5 values to your company.

The number of values you use is not important. Focus on quality. I try to make sure there is at least one value for each part of your business; your customers, your teams and the work you do.

There is no right or wrong. Do what feels right.
A lot of value creation and implementation is about feeling. Of course, you can poke holes in any process. But, it won’t take 6 months and you won’t waste money on agencies and company offsites. 

You may think that values are fluff. You’ll say they don’t drive outcomes. 

And, maybe they don’t. But, maybe they make sure everyone is on the same ship. If you ask me, that’s the most important part. 

Your business can’t be successful if your teams are all sailing in different directions. 

Good luck. Slide into my DMs if you want to ask questions or brainstorm ideas.

Peace, love and growth.
Jarren

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