This company's core values

I’ve talked with a number of people about creating a values-based company, and became convinced that this would help me to create the kind of company that I will be proud of.

Often a company’s “values” or “mission statement” look like they were created by a committee, and end up losing their impact.  More importantly, you see a significant difference between the stated values and how people really behave.  You get the impression that it’s mostly a marketing exercise.

I have the opportunity, as a one person company, to drive my company’s decisions from a powerful set of principles.  Here is my current version, still a work in progress but published for the first time anywhere:

The dignity of the individual and work

Every client and customer is intelligent, wise, resourceful, and creative.  Coaching can help to highlight those qualities through careful listening, appreciative inquiry, constructive challenges, and other forms of support.

Work is honorable, valuable, and necessary.  No work is inherently more or less important than others’ contributions.  All human endeavors involve work being done by individuals and by groups.

The inherent value of organizations

Organizations, including companies, are a means for achieving useful and valuable goals through tools, methods and processes.  At its best, an organization provides a means for an individual to magnify the impact of his or her work, in a way which is valuable for customers, partners, and society.

Work is organized, formally or informally, using teams.  Teams deliver their best results through alignment, support, roles, and all the other tools of organization – but at their core, they are a set of individuals who are focused on a common purpose.

The power of pervasive leadership

Leaders exist everywhere, at every level and in every role.  Leaders are most effective when they have clarity of vision, constructive relationships, and the ability to help teams deliver on their common purpose.

Coaching helps teams and individuals achieve powerful goals

Coaching, as a leadership skill or as a separate profession, consists of proven techniques and tools to help people achieve great things.  It’s not the sole requirement – that would broaden the word to the point of being meaningless – but is core to the way that leaders interact with followers and with themselves.

This company strives to make a fundamental, practical, and lasting impact on the results that leaders and teams deliver through:

• Alignment and clarity around goals, roles, and processes
• Improved communication and relationship skills
• Effective problem resolution techniques

Changing the world, brick by brick

The world is changed one piece at a time.

Organizations are changed one person at a time.

Helping one person, one team, and one organization changes the world – even if we don’t yet see the large impact.

I’d very much like to hear your thoughts and comments. This communicates something very powerful – to me. But does it have impact on you?

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