New Publication: Building a Values-Based Culture

In today's fast-paced and socially conscious world, organizations face new challenges in attracting and retaining top talent. Employees and stakeholders are demanding more than just a mission statement; they want companies to align with their values and actively practice them in everything from workplace culture and policies to CSR programs and ESG implementation. This paradigm shift requires companies to build a strong values-based organizational culture that fosters a sense of community, meaning, and wellbeing among employees. It also requires that organizations get creative with what that looks like.

In our work, we center a creative approach to centering shared values that goes beyond words on paper and helps organizations improve their team communication, workplace culture, and social impact programs and approaches. The importance of lived values in the workplace cannot be stressed enough, from the role of shared values in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) — heavy emphasis on belonging — to finding practical strategies for embedding values into company culture.

That’s why we’ve published a guide to help leaders better understand the importance of shared values and how to create a shared value system that nurtures community.

Weaving Personal and Shared Values

To create a culture of shared values, individuals must first understand and articulate their own values. By asking thought-provoking questions, HR and team leaders can help employees identify their personal values and explore how they align with the organization's values. By finding common values across different cultural groups, companies can foster a sense of community and connection.

Values are a key driver of culture, and they play a critical role in shaping how we interact with others, both within our own culture and across cultures. Values are a critical component of organizational culture. Values can also be a source of tension in the workplace, particularly when different values come into conflict. Leaders need to be able to navigate these tensions and find ways to create a shared sense of purpose. - Erin Meyer, Affiliate Professor of Organisational Behavior, INSEAD, author of The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business

Effectively and earnestly leveraging shared values across departments, programs and initiatives to build a cohesive workplace community is essential to building a strong and engaged workforce, and a positive culture — and key to fostering a sense of belonging and meaning among employees, and trust with external stakeholders and communities. When employees feel a sense of ownership and connection to your organizational values, they’re more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to achieving the company's goals, but it’s up to leaders to guide and course correct culture.

Understanding the Power of Values

Values serve as guiding principles that shape our decisions, goals, and interactions. They provide a moral compass for individuals and organizations, ensuring they stay true to their purpose and principles. By understanding the impact of values on employee motivation and commitment, HR and team leaders can create a culture that resonates with their workforce.

The rise of Gen Z and Millennials in the workforce has accelerated the demand for shared values. Employees are no longer content with organizations that merely pay lip service to values; they want companies to practice what they preach. Studies show that employees are more likely to consider resigning if their values don't align with those of the organization. To address this shift, companies must translate values into tangible actions and initiatives that promote workplace culture, sustainability, and work-life balance.

This requires an approach grounded in behavioral science, a field that encompasses social and organizational psychology, anthropology, and sociology. Rather than simply asking what your values are, we need to ask questions that include: What do values do? How do shared values nurture positive group identity? And how can implementing values through policies take them from pithy platitude to culturally profound?

Values, Belonging, and Employee Engagement

Values-based training for DEIB can have a transformative impact on organizational culture and employee engagement. By focusing on shared values, organizations can foster a sense of community and belonging among employees from diverse backgrounds. We explore practical strategies for integrating shared values into DEIB initiatives, creating shared value systems that foster intercultural curiosity, communication, and appreciation that results in an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected and valued.

Embedding shared values into the workplace requires a holistic approach. HR and team leaders can integrate shared values into various aspects of the employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to training and day-to-day policies. We explore how organizations can align their hiring process with their values, provide values-based orientation, and promote open communication and transparency.

We never really designed work; we just had a norm that everybody was in the office and we sort of muddled through. But now we can intentionally design how we work and there are a whole set of reimaginings going on. - Lynda Gratton, Professor of Business Management, London Business School

Building a values-based organizational culture is crucial in attracting and retaining top talent, fostering employee engagement, and creating a sense of purpose and fulfillment. By understanding the power of values, embracing shared values, and incorporating them into every aspect of the workplace, HR and team leaders can create a positive and meaningful workplace culture. By doing so, they can attract and retain a diverse and engaged workforce that shares a common purpose and drives the organization toward success.

Remember, values aren’t just words on a page but the driving force behind a strong and thriving organizational culture. Let's embrace the power of shared values and create workplaces that inspire, empower, and make a positive impact on employees, stakeholders, and society as a whole.

Download our guide Building a Values-Based Culture to discover practical and creative strategies (large and bite-sized!) and learn about real-world examples of how shared values can help you improve workplace culture, as well as how this work applies to operations, social responsibility programs, and teams.