We recently launched our new website, completely revamping the look and feel for the first time in over 4 years.
While this may not seem like a long time - I know some sites that haven't changed one bit since the internet was first invented - this exercise made us realize how much our business has changed over the last few years.
This opportunity to refocus our content, the graphics and the site navigation, provided something I was not expecting - the chance to truly define what it is that makes us tick as a firm: our core values.
This got me thinking about whether or not companies can - and should - live by certain values.
We typically refer to values as a set of standards or governing rules for individuals.
"I pride myself on my great judge of character" explains a good friend of mine.
Another describes herself as someone who "spends time with her family because nothing is more important in life.
" While these are great principles to live by, what about the guidelines that are present in our workplace? How do we know if they are aligned with our personal values? I recently had lunch with a colleague and former coaching client who has been in his new job since January - we'll call him "Mike".
After being on the job for only 2 weeks, Mike was summoned by his boss's, boss's boss on the east coast, to provide some feedback about the operation.
"He wanted to pick my brain about whether or not the business was running efficiently.
My only thought was 'I've only been here for 2 weeks, what insights could I possibly provide'?" While Mike is a successful, seasoned IT professional, he has also managed operations, sales and marketing and is one of the sharpest business professionals I know.
"When he asked me point blank what I thought about the company, my first response was, do you want me to be blunt, or politically correct?'" Consistent with his reputation, the President asked Mike to be completely honest.
"You aren't going to get where you want to go with the current team" Mike responded.
While some people might consider this career suicide, Mike did what he does best: he stayed true to himself, offering honest, real-time and valuable feedback for the good of the company.
If you were to ask Mike about his core values, he would describe himself as someone who is upfront & candid with his team.
He is willing to make the long-term, and sometimes difficult, decisions that will ultimately satisfy his clients, maintain efficiencies and produce consistent profits.
This exercise in developing core values should follow the same path at the company level.
As we worked to create our company's core values, I was able to recall specific situations that demonstrated our commitment to displaying each of these characteristics.
I thought about our role as early adopters of LinkedIn for recruiting and business development.
Five years ago, there were less than 25 million users, and today, there are over 100 million.
We moved swiftly to integrate this leading edge technology into our firm and it has served our clients well: Core Values #2 and #6 - Ingenuity & Leveraging Technology.
I considered the fact that each staff member works part time in order to spend time with their family.
Additionally, I remember fondly our 2009 holiday party which consisted of the entire company, along with their spouses, taking a trip to Disneyland without any kids: Core Value #8 - Balance your life, Laugh and Have Fun! Finally, I reflect on the number of calls and emails we receive that begin with "Your firm was recommended to me by a close friend who said you provided him with some great advice about her job search.
I also understand that you are very well connected in the community...
" Core Value #5 - Providing Free Advice is a Good Thing.
At the end of the day, we all stand for something, both individually and as an organization.
If we really force ourselves to think about who we are, what drives our decisions and what events we are most proud of, some consistent themes will emerge.
Regardless of your status - employed or in transition, business owner or employee, doctor or engineer, CEO or salesperson - the best way to ensure progression in your life is to understand what you are striving for.
Ask yourself, and your company, "what is my Professional DNA?"...
I guarantee it will be time well spent.
Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to Mike, within 2 months of his conversation with the President, he doubled the productivity of his team - with half the staff; he delivered a completed project for a client that had been in limbo for nearly 2 years; the organization was flattened; he was given responsibility for operations as well as IT; and he now reports to the President directly.
How's that for a little honesty!
While this may not seem like a long time - I know some sites that haven't changed one bit since the internet was first invented - this exercise made us realize how much our business has changed over the last few years.
This opportunity to refocus our content, the graphics and the site navigation, provided something I was not expecting - the chance to truly define what it is that makes us tick as a firm: our core values.
This got me thinking about whether or not companies can - and should - live by certain values.
We typically refer to values as a set of standards or governing rules for individuals.
"I pride myself on my great judge of character" explains a good friend of mine.
Another describes herself as someone who "spends time with her family because nothing is more important in life.
" While these are great principles to live by, what about the guidelines that are present in our workplace? How do we know if they are aligned with our personal values? I recently had lunch with a colleague and former coaching client who has been in his new job since January - we'll call him "Mike".
After being on the job for only 2 weeks, Mike was summoned by his boss's, boss's boss on the east coast, to provide some feedback about the operation.
"He wanted to pick my brain about whether or not the business was running efficiently.
My only thought was 'I've only been here for 2 weeks, what insights could I possibly provide'?" While Mike is a successful, seasoned IT professional, he has also managed operations, sales and marketing and is one of the sharpest business professionals I know.
"When he asked me point blank what I thought about the company, my first response was, do you want me to be blunt, or politically correct?'" Consistent with his reputation, the President asked Mike to be completely honest.
"You aren't going to get where you want to go with the current team" Mike responded.
While some people might consider this career suicide, Mike did what he does best: he stayed true to himself, offering honest, real-time and valuable feedback for the good of the company.
If you were to ask Mike about his core values, he would describe himself as someone who is upfront & candid with his team.
He is willing to make the long-term, and sometimes difficult, decisions that will ultimately satisfy his clients, maintain efficiencies and produce consistent profits.
This exercise in developing core values should follow the same path at the company level.
As we worked to create our company's core values, I was able to recall specific situations that demonstrated our commitment to displaying each of these characteristics.
I thought about our role as early adopters of LinkedIn for recruiting and business development.
Five years ago, there were less than 25 million users, and today, there are over 100 million.
We moved swiftly to integrate this leading edge technology into our firm and it has served our clients well: Core Values #2 and #6 - Ingenuity & Leveraging Technology.
I considered the fact that each staff member works part time in order to spend time with their family.
Additionally, I remember fondly our 2009 holiday party which consisted of the entire company, along with their spouses, taking a trip to Disneyland without any kids: Core Value #8 - Balance your life, Laugh and Have Fun! Finally, I reflect on the number of calls and emails we receive that begin with "Your firm was recommended to me by a close friend who said you provided him with some great advice about her job search.
I also understand that you are very well connected in the community...
" Core Value #5 - Providing Free Advice is a Good Thing.
At the end of the day, we all stand for something, both individually and as an organization.
If we really force ourselves to think about who we are, what drives our decisions and what events we are most proud of, some consistent themes will emerge.
Regardless of your status - employed or in transition, business owner or employee, doctor or engineer, CEO or salesperson - the best way to ensure progression in your life is to understand what you are striving for.
Ask yourself, and your company, "what is my Professional DNA?"...
I guarantee it will be time well spent.
Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to Mike, within 2 months of his conversation with the President, he doubled the productivity of his team - with half the staff; he delivered a completed project for a client that had been in limbo for nearly 2 years; the organization was flattened; he was given responsibility for operations as well as IT; and he now reports to the President directly.
How's that for a little honesty!