3. Truth #2: Your business already operates on a system of values

This is part 2 of a 5-part series on what it means to lead thru values.

There are 4 types of values systems present in any organization:

Core values – Your uncompromising performance standards for how you do business. 

• We do what we say
• We are always on time with our production orders; never late
• We refuse to take shortcuts or compromise our quality

Aspirational values – What you aspire to be now, and in the future. 

• We’re not afraid to take risks
• We don’t just maintain, we multiply

“Permission to play” values – The baseline expectations at your company. 

• You are honest
• You treat others respectfully
• You are reliable – others can count on you 

Accidental values – values that develop accidentally and have a negative influence on personnel and strategy.

• Taking a “one size fits all” approach for employee development
• Stale mindsets such as “We’ve always done it that way,” and “We tried that before” are visibly present
• Low accountability that allows people to cut corners or settle for ‘good enough’ attitudes

High-cost consequences of accidental values

• Accidental values are the result of poor leadership styles or structure and lead to:
• Incomplete and inconsistent communication; lack of transparency; 
• Lack of unity; work is completed but frequently misses critical company objectives
• Little or no collaboration; people working in isolation accentuates problems with communication
• Apathetic attitudes
• Suspicion & gossip run rampant
• Struggle to attract new employees; weak candidate pipeline
• Growth is stagnant
• Low energy; no new ideas
• Stress and hurriedness are the norm, not the exception