How to link personal values with team values

Values are no longer a fuzzy pursuit. Levi Strauss, AT&T, and Nordstrom are just a few of the companies in which values are considered an essential and evolving element behind every business decision. Jaffe and Scoff describe how managers at Levi Strauss, for example, meet to develop and share their core values, and to determine how to incorporate such values into their work. The approach then trickles down throughout the company. The key to linking people's personal values with those of their team or organization is to hold a values discussion. Participants select their own key values from a deck of value cards. Then, they share their values with the group. People are often surprised to learn how their values differ from others-and how they coincide. Jaffe and Scott point out that organizations that are aware of and focused used around core values, vision, and mission are essence-based. That helps them deal with the constantly changing work environment and rising competition. When employees' personal values are linked with their organization's strategic values, that helps motivate emi employees, strengthen their commitment, and foster collaboration. A values-based focus translates to higher productivity and greater worker and customer satisfaction. The authors found that several values are common to most organizations, including integrity, competence, communication, creativity, and personal growth. The article includes a model of a real-world values statement.