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Manager's Corner - Use It Or Lose It 
We've hit that part of the Strategic Planning process with a few of our clients: It's time for them to put what they've developed to the test. Specifically, a few clients are facing difficult situations with select key staff members. These tough situations are requiring top management to either put the Values Statements to work, or allow the Statements to simply be exquisite artwork and alienate their workforce. Let me explain. One of the fundamental steps we take with clients when helping them develop a Strategic Plan is to develop a Values Statement, Guiding Principles, or Core Values.
Whatever clients want to call it is fine, as long as the statement serves this critical purpose: This statement outlines specifically what behaviors and attitudes are expected of everyone who works for this organization, takes paychecks from this organization, or who serves this organization as a board member or as an agent of the organization. Anyone who represents this organization, from the most senior person to the newest front-line hire, is bound to abide by these values. However, if senior management is not willing to enforce the values on themselves and to live by them themselves - day in and day out - get rid of them. Take the statements out of the company handbooks, take them out of the new employee orientation materials, take them off all of your marketing materials and websites, and take the framed versions off the walls. If you're not going to enforce them - across the board - lose them. It's relatively easy to develop these statements in our work sessions. The senior team can rather quickly articulate what behaviors and attitudes are important for their respective organization. These behaviors ensure the proper image, working environment, work ethic, and quality standards are met. These behaviors are obvious to most yet need to be shared and explained to all of the employees. However, when it comes time to "enforce The House Ru |