Use your company values to lead you through COVID-19
An organization’s true values are revealed during times of change. Through the crisis of our current pandemic the stable footing of nearly all aspects of life have been upended. As teams transition, work environments are reconstructed, uncertainty is faced, and difficult decisions are made, the truest values of your company and your team will show–for good or for bad. The aspects you focus on and the choices you make will reveal what your organization holds dear. Be mindful to ensure it reflects the values you say are important.
This crisis will pass, but the way we support our clients, our teammates, and our customers will be remembered long beyond this time. The choices of this situation will define the truest colors of the values you hold dear. Times of difficulty bring priceless opportunities to meet the challenge in a way that allows your company values to rise forward. Values that will lead to success through any situation include a commitment to integrity, relationships, passion, and innovation. These pillars stabilize and weather the storms to allow us to continue to be there for our customers, clients and, one another. Below are concepts that can weather all changes.
Integrity is rooted in all you do. As you work through the process of uncertainty, ensure integrity drives your decisions and choices. This may sound obvious, but in times of limited resources, uncertainty, and difficulty, if this commitment to integrity is not routinely acknowledged, it can easily get overlooked.
Relationships must be cherished. Now more than ever is the opportunity to be there for your most cherished clients and customers. As we weather a storm together, being a reassuring source of consistency and support for those in your professional and personal will bring fulfillment long beyond this present time.
Work with passion. Do what you can to keep your fire within for the work you do. Think about your work’s purpose daily and use your passion to drive your efforts even in new, uncharted territories.
Innovation will bring improvements. Use this time of change to consider new approaches to old ways of thinking. Your organization and team can accomplish new goals or pivot to strive toward new objectives. Allow this forced time of quiet to think deeply about how you complete your work and consider new ways you can provide value to those around you. What do your customers need now? How can you provide support to your team? What helps those I work with? What aspects of my job do I love that I can continue even as things change around us? Innovative thinking comes from taking the time to consider and attempt change that will make your work better than ever before.
This time provides an opportunity to revisit your company values, as we have done, and use them to drive your spirit and efforts through this time. Every organization aims to bring value to those they serve. How you will bring value will be individual and variable to your team and organization. In this time of rapid change and alterations, making choices to support our work will come quickly and oftentimes under stress. Your values will be revealed through the way you work right here and now. While this too shall pass, when your company’s values remain consistent and strong, you will bring value in a way that you will be happy to remember.