The Core of Organizational Culture: Values
A robust organizational culture is essential, with values acting as its building blocks.
Leaders are responsible for sculpting this culture, employing values as the code to create an attractive work environment. This environment is designed to draw and nurture talent whose brilliance is unleashed in optimal conditions.
Aligning Personal and Organizational Values
For an organization’s culture to thrive, there must be alignment between the personal values of its people and the organizational values.
But who dictates these organizational values? Is it the responsibility of owners, senior management, or every employee to shape and maintain the culture's health?
Responsibility and Challenge of Establishing Values
The responsibility of instilling values in an organization rests, in most cases, with senior management (CEO included). It is their duty to ensure these values are clearly defined and align with the nature of the business.
However, the most significant challenge lies in the practical implementation of these values. This process requires not only a clear understanding of the strategic significance behind the values but also consistent application across all organizational levels.
The Practical Role of Organizational Values
Contrary to common misconception, organizational values are not high ideals but are instead the minimal standards needed to facilitate efficient work. They become the invisible yet pervasive standard, like the very air we breathe, enabling smooth operation within the team and organization.
Any disparity between employee values and business expectations can disrupt the creative workflow with high costs; value alignment boosts belonging and accelerates mutual understanding.
Investment and Return of Values
Proper implementation of values necessitates a strong commitment involving time, resources, and a cohesive strategy to integrate these values into the organization's culture.
Recognizing and rewarding alignment with these values plays a pivotal role in reinforcing the desired behavior. When it comes to hiring or evaluating employees, adherence to organizational values should be a primary criterion, outweighing individual performance if it does not align with the company's culture.
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