In the 1960's when the John Hancock building was under construction in Chicago, I walked by the site several times a week. I peered through the little windows in the plywood surrounding the site and observed workers and machines like ants busily working many feet below. To me it seemed they were working there forever. I wondered when this huge building (100 storeys, 1500 feet to the top of the antenna masts, still today the 5th highest building in North America) would ever take shape. Many months went by before the superstructure was put in place. When work finally began above ground, it seemed progress was made much more rapidly. For the enormous structure to withstand wind and weather it had to be securely anchored or grounded.Often I have reflected on this experience. I believe that our individual or company core values are like the foundation of any building, tall or small. Without core values or beliefs, our "building" may not stand over time.
What are core values? Core values are beliefs. They are operating philosophies that guide our conduct and relationships. Core values are philosophies that guide how we conduct ourselves. Core values are the heart of a company's or of an individual's culture. Core values are guiding principles or absolute tenets that cannot be compromised. Kouzes and Posner put it this way, "To do what we say we will do, we must know what we want to do and how we wish to behave."
Jim Collins in his popular book, Built to Last, asks why visionary companies are visionary? What makes them successful? One of Collin's discoveries is that they all hold to an uncompromising set of core values. As my reference to the John Hancock building suggests, core values are foundational. Our personal lives or our businesses will flounder, and perhaps collapse without core values.
What will core values do for you?
* Core values help us make choices. Decision making becomes infinitely easier; we can invest our time and energy and other resources much more strategically when we are guided by a set of core values. Some years ago I accompanied a university president as he was contacting major donors. A very strong willed and major contributor boasted about how the university needed to establish a satellite campus in his community. He offered to put up substantial money to make this a reality. I became somewhat enthused about the possibility. The moment he remarked that no housing facilities would be necessary because the extension campus could be a "commuter campus" the president of the school lost interest. Despite the animated pleas and arguments of the donor, the university president was unmoved. He said simply, "A commuting campus does not fit our core values. We believe in community. Education does not just happen in a classroom!" The discussion was over. For the president the choice was simple. The offer of a significant financial contribution left him unphazed. I learned a great lesson that day and I resolved to be guided by my own set of core values. The core values of the university made it very easy to make a decision.
* Core values enhance our self confidence. They help to define us. We develop a sense of security and confidence when we know who we are. We do not try to compare ourselves with others or try to be like them. We are who we are by the core values we espouse.
* Core values help us overcome discouragement. Many an athletic coach has suffered through the "agony of defeat" temporarily while building a program consistent with his or her core values. Core values keep us going when the going is tough. They inspire us, motivate us and drive us forward.
* Core values are a compass point. They provide focus and direction. The winds of time cannot blow us in every direction when our compass needle continually points us to our core values. Someone once asked what we would think if we succeeded in climbing a mountain only to discover that it was not the mountain we really wanted to climb? It is not possible to picture a desired future without core values.
* Core values give us a "bottom line." They not only help us to know where we want to go but they also show us where we do NOT want to go in life.
So how can we develop core values as individuals?
I am confident the reader of this article already has certain core values. They may be expressed or they may not be. If you desire to submit them to writing, refine them, or think about core values all over again, here are some steps that I have found helpful:
1. List what is important to you. Some examples and frequent core values of companies, schools, non-profits, military, and so on are concepts like integrity, service, excellence, relationships, innnovation, teamwork, results, people, etc.
2. Take time to distinguish between what you think should be important to you to what truly is important. Core values are not about "coulda", "woulda", "shoulda". They are about bottom line, non negotiable concepts. They are the principles that permeate every part of your mind and emotions.
3. Prioritize your list and narrow it down to at least 3 but no more than 7 core values. Take time for this.
4. Share your list if you wish with those who truly know you well so they can affirm your values or help you refine them.
5. Print them somewhere in a conspicuous place so they are often in your sight and on your mind. Put them on your website, and every place you can think of.
6. Live each day with these core values in mind, review them every chance you have until they are second nature to you.
How can we develop corporate core values?
Some of the same principles apply but you need to draw your employees, partners, and colleagues into the discussion from the beginning so they also "own" the values you put to paper. It can be a fascinating journey for a business or corporate board examine, review, or refine their core values.
Consider the image of this building's failed foundation. Picture a skyscraper developing cracks in its superstructure or worse,--- crashing to earth because of a poorly laid foundation. It is not a pretty picture. Similarly, picture your life, your family, or your business. How solid is your foundation of core values?
Want to talk about this? As always, I welcome your inquiry. You can reach me at rick@icarecoaching.com.
Dr. Rick Penner
www.icarecoaching.com
Copyright, June, 2008
