Every organization has a set of values, whether or not they are written down. The values guide the perspective of the organization as well as its actions. Writing down a set of commonly-held values can help an organization define its culture and beliefs. When members of the organization subscribe to a common set of values, the organization appears united when it deals with various issues.
Values in Organizations
Even if an organization has not explicitly spelled out the values it uses to guide its actions, it has values. They may be unstated, but they play an important role in determining how the organization confronts problems and issues. Values may come from the common purpose for which the organization works, the organization’s leadership or from other sources.
Value statements list the principles and ethics to which an organization adheres. They form an ethical foundation for the organization. These principles and ethics then guide the behavior of organization members. They assist organizations in determining what is right and wrong. Members then act in certain ways, using the values as a guide.
Value statements also serve as a reference point for community members outside the organization. They enable them to understand the beliefs and principles of the organization. They provide basic information about how the organization operates and about its perspectives on ethical problems.
Acting Outside Values
When an organization writes down its values, it lays out its expectations of behaviors for organization members. Individuals in the organization may be more likely to pursue behaviors that match their own value systems without a written guide of organizational values. These behaviors may not be in line with the organization’s values, and they may not be ones the organization wants to promote. Smaller organizations can confront actions that don’t line up with their values more easily than large organizations. Written value statements serve as a helpful guide for organization members in all organizations, but large organizations with several sub-groups especially benefit from them.
Mission and Goals
Value statements’ ultimate purpose is to encourage behaviors from organization members that encourage the achievement of organizational goals and its mission. Leaders of an organization can encourage these behaviors from other members with a value framework that guides members’ behavior.
Living Out Value Statements
Communication of values is important both internally and externally. Talk about your organization’s values in meetings and writings. Publicly acknowledge those who have lived out the organization’s values. Give new members of the organizations copies of the organization’s values, and post them prominently. Allow members and outsiders to update the organization’s values on a regular basis. This encourages the feeling of inclusion among organization members.
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