Core values worksheets to improve organizational culture
Core values act as a north star for an organization, providing shared purpose and guideposts on whether an initiative is a fit with the organization. They tell the public who you are as a company and what they can expect, and core values align internal staff on how to operate so that the organization can succeed. I love this list from Cultbranding:
Core values can set a foundation for the organization’s culture.
Core values can improve morale and can be a rich source of individual and organizational pride.
Core values can align a large group of people around specific, idealized behaviors.
Core values can guide difficult decisions by determining priorities in advance.
Core values can help positively influence how employees interact with one another.
Core values can help you attract, hire, and retain the right type of employees.
Core values can help you assess performance (both individually and organizationally).
Core values can help prevent conflict and mitigate conflicts that do arise.
Core values can help you improve innovation.
Core values can help differentiate your brand in the minds of your customers and partners.
Core values can impact how the organization serves its customers.
Core values can help you attract the right breed of customers.
If your organization does not yet have a set of Core Values, take the initiative! Below, I outline a simple process for identifying how employees currently view organizational culture, and whether where you are today is where you want to be, or if you are aspiring toward values you have yet to achieve. Provide the questions in each “worksheet” to the participating employees, in the order listed. Note that YOUR ORGANIZATION should be replaced with the name of your organization or company.
Core Values Worksheet 1 - Where we are today
In a group format, read together the article Benefits of Having Core Values and How to Set Them in Your Organization. Allow for 15-30 minutes of open discussion about your organization’s core values. Provide each attendee with the questions below:
Identify the Top 5 Core Values you believe currently exist in YOUR ORGANIZATION.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify the Top 5 Core Values you believe should exist in YOUR ORGANIZATION (this may include values from above or new values).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Collect Core Values Worksheet 1. Keep it anonymous. Remove redundant values until you get to a unique list. Write the Top 5 Values in the following format on Worksheets 2 and 3 as shown in the example below, and then distribute to the same working group. Give them each a few days to complete.
(Example) Collaboration – we work together, internally, and with our clients to accomplish our goals.
Do you agree or disagree that this value currently exists within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what collaboration means to you.
Core Values Worksheet 2 - Values identified as currently existing in YOUR ORGANIZATION:
Value 1: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value currently exists within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Value 2: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value currently exists within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Value 3: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value currently exists within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Value 4: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value currently exists within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Value 5: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value currently exists within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this value should be in our Top 5? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Core Values Worksheet 3 - Values identified as should exist in YOUR ORGANIZATION:
Value 1: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value should exist within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Value 2: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value should exist within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Value 3: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value should exist within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Value 4: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value should exist within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this is a core value of our organization? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Value 5: _______________
Do you agree or disagree that this value should exist within YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Do you think this value should be in our Top 5? Why or why not? Elaborate on what ___________ means to you.
Bringing it all together.
Collect and collate the responses from Worksheets 2 and 3, anonymously, in a spreadsheet. Bring the results to the group to facilitate discussion. Ask:
Which values had the most references? Why do you think that is?
Which values had the fewest? Why do you think that is?
How do these values influence our work in our sector?
How do these values influence our hiring practices?
Do these values accurately represent our organization as we exist TODAY?
Are there values that we strive toward, but which we do not represent today?
How would those values guide us to progress?
Finally, how can you agree on what the core values are? Just because a value pops up more frequently in the results than others doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right one for the organization. It’s time to bring your leadership team in. With your leadership team, determine how the answers above align with the strategic plan for the company’s future. The content you provide from this activity is an excellent start in determining the final set of values.