How to Promote Core Values in the Workplace
When companies don't take the time to identify and promote core values, it becomes easier for employees to slip into daily routines, unmindful of the greater contributions of their work and efforts. Genuinely promoting core values in the workplace takes time, but workers, supervisors and employers might feel more directed and empowered by their contribution to a larger mission.
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Instructions
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Define your core values. It's impossible to promote core values in the workplace if you haven't defined for the company and for employees what those values entail. If core values have already been articulated in the company's mission statement or other written materials, haul these out for examination. For each core value selected, take the time to define what it means for your workplace using examples.
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Model your core values for employees. This is especially key for top supervisors and managers. It won't matter if you've artfully painted the company's core values in the employee break room if workers can clearly see that leaders don't adhere to these values in reality. For example, promoting the core value of honesty doesn't make sense when employees are encouraged to shortchange customers or pass off inferior goods as quality products.
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Recognize and reward supervisors and employees who exhibit the workplace core values. Reward programs work best when individuals feel invested in the process, so ask around to learn what types of rewards would be meaningful to employees. When conferring recognition for employees who have modeled your core values, be sure to explain which of their behaviors is being acknowledged so that others know how to emulate it.
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Revisit core values regularly so that they become an integral part of your workplace culture. Look for ways to link daily, weekly, quarterly and annual goals, tasks and accomplishments to company core values. This might include periodic award ceremonies, private conversations, employee trainings and workshops or providing resources that help employees deepen their association with your values.
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References
- Quintessential Careers: Workplace Values Assessment
- A Better Workplace: Vision, Mission and Values:
- Pepperdine University; Creating and Sustaining an Ethical Workplace Culture; Charles Kerns;
- Winston Brill: Core Values for Functional Teams; Dianne Loy-Ferri; October 1997
- Iowa State University Extension: Civility in the Workplace
- Photo Credit Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images
