What are Values?
Values are your soul print. They are an expression of your deepest and truest self. We never operate apart from our values, but oftentimes our values go unnoticed or unexpressed. We don’t take the time to stop, listen to ourselves, and dig into the things that make up the most important parts of our being.
What are Company Values?
Company values are the same way. When we are consciously aware of them, and how they impact our work, we can continually bring alignment between our values and our actions. If we are unaware or out of alignment with our values, it can lead to dissonance in our work, frustration around our goals, and lack of clarity and direction.
When we talk about company values, it is important to clarify what our values actually are, understand how they impact our work, and make them a part of everyday conversation.
It is also important to realize that company values should express who your company is NOW. Mission and vision set the stage for the future. Company values define who your company is now: how you act each moment, and how you operate each day.
Our Company Values
So what are Coaching for Good’s company values, and how do they impact us on a daily basis? Well, over the years as a startup, our company has gone through many changes. We have had different brands, logos, and different versions of our product offerings. Even our name has changed as we have clarified how we express ourselves to the world.
Yet through all of the changes our values have remained constant. We were able to maintain our values through some dramatic shifts in our company because we tapped into the core of who we are and what we want to be about each and every day.
Coaching for Good has chosen these company values to reflect our organization. We chose each word carefully, then gave it a definition. Definitions can be just as important as the word you choose, as it helps ensure alignment from your team with your company values.
Meaning. We drive towards purposeful work that makes a difference.
Why it matters: Meaning drives everything we do. It is why we get out of bed in the morning. It is why we celebrate helping others “Wake up and love Monday!” It drives us to pursue excellence and creativity in serving our clients, so they can find meaning as well. It has allowed us to explore and understand social impact business models, and ways we can give back to our community. Meaning drives our work as we strive to make a difference.
Trust. We chose to operate from a place of transparency and believe the best about those we work with.
Why it matters: Trust is crucial to any team. Understanding that trust also requires transparency has helped guide us through difficult times, both with our team members and our clients. Trust helped us to weather COVID and the challenges that ensued. Trust helped us to maintain a powerful team dynamic, even when business dried up for a few months. Trust leads the way in taking next steps, and being honest with ourselves about when we need additional support.
Vision. Our actions reflect focused innovation to further our mission.
Why it matters: Vision is an important part of our company, both individually as well as corporately. We encourage each person on our team to facilitate an individual vision. We want to ensure that we are building a company of people who are authentically themselves, who find ways to live their vision and values, and who continually innovate to make that a reality.
Abundance. We operate from a place of limitless possibilities and potential.
Why it matters: Abundance drives how we view our balance sheets, our giveback model, our relationships, our time, and our opportunities. There is always enough, and when we start from that place, we become more open, creative, confident, and powerful.
Relationship. We cultivate environments of grace.
Why it matters: Relationships are the heart of coaching, and the heart of our company. When we can look at each client, each team member, and each person we meet as a profound opportunity for relationship, we are able to create environments of grace where trust, safety, creativity, and opportunity can thrive.
Adventure. We blend excellence and playfulness as we carry out our work.
Entrepreneurship may be one of the greatest adventures! As such, adventure defines our company culture, and we intentionally press into that to create a culture that feels playful and open while also finding ways to bring excellence and creative thinking to our work.
Need Help Defining Your Company Values?
Understanding the values that are inherent to our company is the key to unlocking a workplace culture that is full of purpose, passion, and success. When you and your team understand your company values, connect them to your daily work, and find individual meaning and purpose through their fulfillment, we are confident you will experience a thriving and successful workplace.
Do you need help understanding what values your company should hold? Reach out to Coaching for Good today to book a consultation with ICF-certified coaches that are ready to help your organization understand who they are in the now.
