From Posters to Practice: Embedding Values that Truly Matter
Are your company’s values more decoration than direction?
If your core principles are stuck gathering dust on office walls rather than guiding your daily operations, it's time for a shift. In this blog, we share practical insights from our recent webinar featuring Brian Fitzsimons, CEO of iScoil, alongside examples from industry leaders like Patagonia and the Starlight Foundation Australia, as practical examples of how organisations can successfully embed values to drive meaningful change.
Why Do Values Initiatives Often Fail?
Many organisations struggle with truly embedding their values, and it typically boils down to common pitfalls:
Abstract Language: Values remain vague concepts instead of actionable principles.
Leadership Disconnect: When leaders fail to 'walk the talk,' trust erodes rapidly.
Communication Breakdown: Poorly communicated or inconsistent messaging dilutes the impact.
Lack of Accountability: Without clear expectations and responsibilities, values become optional rather than integral.
Short-term Prioritisation: Values are compromised in the pursuit of short-term profits, undermining long-term trust and performance.
Fear-Based Culture: Cultures that discourage open dialogue leave employees disengaged, reducing the likelihood they will speak up when values are challenged.
Inspiring Examples: Patagonia and the Starlight Foundation
The Impact Culture Session webinar featured standout organisations that exemplify how to effectively embed values:
Patagonia demonstrates unwavering commitment through actions such as their iconic "Don't Buy This Jacket" campaign, which encouraged mindful consumption, and their CEO transferring ownership to a non-profit trust. Their authentic dedication to sustainability, even when it impacts short-term profitability, fosters loyalty and attracts passionate employees and customers alike.
The Starlight Foundation simplifies its values into a single powerful concept: "Shine." By weaving this simple yet impactful value into everything from staff training to daily decision-making, they’ve created a unified, purpose-led organisation where everyone clearly understands their role in achieving the mission.
Actionable Leadership Insights from iScoil
Brian, CEO of iScoil, a pioneering online education provider offered practical leadership insights to foster a values-driven culture, including:
Build a Team of Excellence: Great people attract great talent; settle for nothing less.
Open Communication: Transparency about challenges strengthens team cohesion and fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.
Purpose-Led Decisions: Every decision is centred around what's best for the students, creating clarity of purpose.
Empowering Your Team: Creating opportunities for your team to have a voice and recognising their contributions cultivates shared ownership and collective responsibility.
Mindful Language and Culture: Adopting inclusive, collaborative language rather than reinforcing hierarchies through titles and authority significantly boosts team morale and effectiveness.
The effectiveness of these strategies is evident: iScoil grew its annual revenue from under €500,000 in 2018 to approximately €2 million today, expanding its team from 15 to 60 members.
Moving beyond decorative statements to meaningful, embedded values can transform your organisation’s culture, boost engagement, and deliver sustained success. It’s not just about having values, it's about living them.
For more information on the values work that Mantra Strategy delivers with clients every day, visit www.mantrastrategy.ie or email hello@mantrastrategy.ie