Your Values, Purpose and Vision are part of your Organisation Guidance; essential tools for great decision making.
Values – how do we behave?
Your values are built on the seed values of the founder/owners. They should address how everyone in the business will behave and are created with input from the whole organisation. We recommend using the following format:
- Name. Written as a verb to promote action. Be Empathetic as opposed to Empathy. Be Accountable as opposed to Accountability.
- Our Meaning. What does this value actually mean in the context of this organisation?
- Ask Yourself. Questions the group can ask themselves to check in on whether they are living the value and how they can use values to make decisions.
ADAPT uses the I-We-It model to ensure an organisation has a balance of values to guide personal behaviour, how we communicate and how we get things done.
Purpose – why does this business exist?
The Purpose talk to your cause, your passion, what the business cares about. The founding story is often a key part of understanding why your business does what it does.
Vision - where are we going?
Owners of SMEs usually have a strong vision of where they see the business heading but it's important to bring that vision to life and communicate it - firstly to the leadership team and then to the rest of the organisation. This picture will align everyone so they can gain the traction to make it happen. A rallying vision will build your team's commitment.
Bullseye