As noted in the title above this is the third part of a series of articles on building or reshaping organizational culture. In the first two parts, we discussed the importance of having a mission statement – which provides the organization with a clear meaning and purpose – and a vision statement – which provides
In the first two parts, we discussed the importance of having a mission statement – which provides the organization with a clear meaning and purpose – and a vision statement – which provides personnel direction in the form of a mental picture of what the organization wants to achieve at some point in the future.
We also pointed out that it is important that the vision statement must be more than just something that is on the walls of the office, in their organizational literature, and what they talk about in new employee orientation. For a vision statement to become a vision it has to be planted in the hearts of employees and decisions are made on the basis of whether what is decided will help the organization accomplish its vision. Since a vision statement is not a vision until there is buy-in from the organization’s employees, we also provided some methods of gaining buy-in from employees.
Since a vision statement is not a vision until there is buy-in from the organization’s employees, we also provided some methods of gaining buy-in from employees.
This month we want to focus on another essential ingredient in the process of building or reshaping organizational culture – core values. The mission and vision will take you nowhere if they are not connected to the actual values of your organization. When the vision and mission connect with the core values, they can provide guidelines for the winning behaviors and mindsets necessary to achieve the goals. Core values are what support the vision, shape the culture and reflect what an organization values. They are the essence of the organization’s identity – the principles, beliefs or philosophy of values. Many executives make the mistake of only focusing on the technical competencies of employees and often fail to focus on the underlying competencies that make their organization perform well – core values.