Importance Of Organizational Values

The Value of Values

It is essential for leaders to assist an organization in discovering their values. Values are simply something that an individual or organization deems important or possessing worth. For an individual, values are traits that assist a leader in decision-making, goals, and purpose. Dr. John Townsend contends, “Your values are simply aspects of reality that are guides for you.” In other words, values serve as guardrails to keep a leader on the correct path. In the same way, values for an organization seek to serve in the same capacity.

Furthermore, an organization’s values have greater potency when the organization’s values mirror’s the leader’s values. A key reason is that a leader will not violate his values. Dr.

John Maxwell argues, “All teams need stability to perform well and to grow. Values provide a stable foundation that makes those things possible.” The basis for Maxwell’s argument is that values provide the groundwork for success. An organization’s culture will be built upon what an organization believes and allows. Mike Smith states, “Culture consists of the shared purpose, attitudes, values, goals, practices, behaviors, and habits that define a team or organization.” In other words, culture is the culmination of an organization’s values as expressed through attitudes, goals, behaviors, and

Samuel Chand argues, “Culture—not vision or strategy—is the most powerful factor in any organization.” The basis of Chand’s argument demonstrates the potency culture possess over an organization. The way in which an organization behaves bears greater importance for success than anything else. Just as a person will not betray their true self, neither will an organization. As a result, more time should be spent cultivating an organization’s culture. Mike Smith advises, “You should spend more time on building your culture than on everything else.” The basis for Smith’s advise is that culture will ultimately decide whether or not an organization will be successful in its mission. Thus, it is vital for a leader to focus greater energy on developing a healthy