Defining Shared Values
Defining shared values involves the collaborative process of identifying and agreeing upon the fundamental beliefs and principles that will guide the behaviour, decision-making, and overall culture within an organisation. It sets the foundation for how the company operates and interacts with its stakeholders.
Purpose
The purpose of defining shared values is to ensure a unified direction and understanding across the organisation. It enables decentralised decision-making by aligning the actions and decisions of individuals and teams with the broader goals of the company, fostering a cohesive and supportive culture.
- Alignment and Cohesion: Creates a strong sense of unity and direction among teams.
- Guidance for Decision Making: Provides a clear reference for making decisions in complex situations.
- Enhanced Corporate Culture: Builds a positive and distinct corporate culture that attracts and retains talent.
- Improved Stakeholder Relations: Ensures consistent interactions with customers, partners, and employees based on shared principles.
Context
Industry Context
Every organisation is different and has a different philosophy for how they operate. Shared values provide a clear set of principles that guide decision-making and behaviour, ensuring that teams are aligned with the company's mission and vision. This is of increasing importance as more industries face rapid innovation where adaptability is key because shared values can help teams navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions.
ZeroBlockers Context
ZeroBlockers is about empowering autonomous stream teams to decide what solutions to build to solve customer problems. Shared values are essential to ensure that these teams are aligned with the company's mission and vision and to build confidence with the leadership that they can delegate decision-making to these teams.
Methods
| Method | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Value Definition Workshops | Facilitated sessions with representatives from all areas of the business to collaboratively identify and define shared values. |
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Anti-patterns
- Limited Focus: Overlooking diverse perspectives in the definition process, leading to a narrow or unrepresentative set of values.
- Lack of Implementation: Failure to embed values into everyday practices, making them hollow or ignored.
- Lack of Leadership: Leadership not exemplifying the defined values, undermining their credibility and importance.
Case Studies
Defining Shared Company Values for Organizational Success
How Autodesk implemented shared company values to align team efforts and foster a collaborative culture, resulting in enhanced team performance and innovation.
Autodesk
Embedding Inclusion in Product Development at Snap Inc.
How Snap implemented shared company values to drive inclusive product development and foster a culture of empathy and accessibility.
Snap
