Where are you on the values spectrum?

Download your copy of the Value of Values – 2023 Insights report

Organisational values have tremendous power to guide an organisation, set it apart from competitors, attract and retain great people, and transform performance. But (and here’s the thing), there are values…and then there are values.

Core values define who you are as an organisation, what you care about, and how you go about delivering in the world. They are omnipresent and enduring. They may, or they may not, be the same as the words, phrases and clever icons you choose to adorn your website, reception, home page and intranet.

Mind the gap

We’re talking about the gap between what we say we care about, and what we really value and that shows up in the behaviours of everyone from the CEO to the latest hire.

The power and value of values kicks in when there is no gap. When what we say we care about and what we do, tell the same story.

In reality, even in the most aligned values and cultures, there is always tension. When big and small decisions and behaviours don’t deliver on the spirit and letter of the values all the time. But a values-led organisation will ensure there is the space, safety and support for people (especially leaders) to constantly reflect, revisit and reset where necessary. Did I say especially leaders? I mean, without exception.

But how do you know if there’s a gap. And what the size of that gap is? Through our 2023 research programme looking at the power and role of organisational values, we started to hear a lot about the signals that indicate where an organisation is on its values journey – from expressing at one end, to living at another.

Working with the values spectrum

We’ve captured this in the spectrum above. It’s work in progress. We’ll be adding more detail and sharing ways to work with the framework in 2024. But we’d love to know what you think.

Currently we’re seeing most organisations somewhere in the middle (often to the left of middle where values are aspirational rather than lived). And, that most value can be unlocked the more the organisation moves to the right – to be values led. If you’d like to talk to us about how we can help your leadership team shift the dial, to unlock the transformational energy of values-based leadership, do get in touch.