Implementing Value Systems to Create High Performing
Organisations
The importance of value systems in creating high performance organisations has been understood for a long time
Most organisations have defined a list of values that are important to them
These value statements can often be found in the foyers and receptions of companies
To understand why value systems are so important we need to understand the role of culture in organisations
The culture of a company will determine how things get done i.e. Is the culture innovative, fast and market leading or risk adverse, slow and methodical
Culture results from the collective behaviours, actions, decisions and judgments made in the organisation
Value systems provide the basis for how behaviours, actions and interactions occur within the company - therefore providing the basis for culture Culture Behaviours / Interactions / Actions / Decisions Value Systems
Implementing Effective Value Systems
For value systems to be effective they have to influence behaviour Value systems therefore have to change the way that interactions, decisions and actions occur within the organisation
In every organisation policies, procedures and processes dictate how things get done It is important to review these and to make sure they support what your value system is trying to achieve
Are your values incorporated into your Performance Management Framework? You can not expect behaviour to change if people are not assessed and evaluated on the behaviour and how well they live the values of the organisation
Use 'bottom up' systems to assess behaviour Find out whether managers and leaders are living the company values
Make the values meaningful Collect and Capture stories and experiences of when people lived the values
Incorporate your staff into providing suggestions of how they can bring the values to life Run challenges to find out how you can better embed the organisations values in the way you operate
Review
Value systems will only be effective in changing performance if they result in a change in behaviour Value systems therefore have to truely become the platform and basis for how the company makes decisons and the actions that are performed
For more information please contact Ian Littlejohn at ian@complexworld.co.za