WHY
Collaborated with company partners to create values used for succession planning purposes and client retention.
BIG BOLD IDEA
By having the same story told by the partners their perspective and values were identified. These recounts were used to build a set of values that all partners could support.
QUOTE
Your core values are the deeply held beliefs that authentically describe your soul.” ~ John C. Maxwell
Values are individual and founded on our internal compass. They amplify what is important to us. We each hold a different set of values. Sometimes values overlap. When they do, our partnership with others is stronger. This is true with clients – we are partners with them in helping them with their business, and with colleagues – as we work together towards a common goal – success for clients.
Purpose statements are generally revisited and/or defined as part of defining your values. Your purpose statement is what you do. The business you are in. Your values tell us what you stand for, and what matters to you. Typically they’re a list of five maximum, and include:
- People – how will people be treated when they work with you.
- Service – what can clients expect when working with you.
- Improvements – what do you, how do you show up when something goes wrong. How do you make it right.
- Legacy – what do you want to be known for.
Why is defining your values important?
Values say who you are and help you to:
- Better understand who you want to work for
- identify those types of clients that align with you
- are a guide when hiring new team members
- provide strategy on communications (external and internal)
- help you to tell a consistent story
“Birds of a feather flock together.” There’s a reason that this proverb resonates with us. Typically, we get hired for what we know, and we get fired for our inability to get along with others. By knowing the values of those that we work with or aspire to work for (co-workers, clients, suppliers) we increase our rate of success.
How do we define values at the Big Bold Idea?
Let’s say we are working with a boutique architectural firm led by two principals with a team of 20. We identify the values of each principal by getting them to tell their story through one-on-one conversations. A series of specific and strategic questions is that helps to identify the values of each partner. These conversations also help us to understand the short and long-term goals of each principal.
Once these conversations have taken place, the Big Bold Idea meets with both principals together to further guide the process. It is likely that additional information will be needed at this stage, and it is best to seek the answers together in collaboration. The information provided from these conversations is combined to create a master document which, in itself, will begin to show us where values align or differ.
On completion – it is recommended that the values are shared with the entire team for their input. We want the team to embrace the values. Through a Lunch ‘n Learn, a simplified question and answer exercise to completed. This will provide further insights into your brand and helps solidify the values. Without team engagement it will be difficult to execute the values on an ongoing basis and with consistency.
I know that if you stand for nothing you fall for everything, and that by knowing what’s important to you, you will algin with like-minded clients. Values in alignment will make it easier to work together on projects, provide clearer communication, and create a positive work environment. When people feel that they are heard, it is more likely that they will engage, feel free to share ideas and be motivated.
When the values between the clients and your firm align, a culture of trust and collaboration is created. All of this is important to the success of any project.
Outcome.
The Big Bold Idea has had the pleasure of leading the creation of values for its clients. By working closely with owners’ teams, values and purse statements have been defined and implemented successfully. Each set of values was used to set the groundwork for communication strategies, ensure that the client story was told with a consistent message, and guide marketing plans and setting budgets.
We all have a limited resource of time and money. We can only spend it once, and we want to make sure that it’s spent in a way that will have impact and create results.
Working with the leadership of its clients, the Big Bold Ideas has led teams to define their values and purpose statement. Below are examples of successfully completed purpose statements and values as a result of our work with these clients.
TerraWest
Purpose statement – Positive impact. People, ideas, environment.
People – We create trust. Through hard work and an open mind.
Service – We provide value. We return calls. We are clear and concise in our actions, and in the advice we give.
Improvement – We have accountability. To ourselves, each other, and to you – the client.
Business we are in. Positive impact. People. Environment.
Our mission. To hold the environmental industry up to a high[er] standard.
b. To be the partner of choice for landowners that have a need to turn “dirty dirt” into “clean direct” by designing, developing, and executing future-focused solutions.
MKM Projects
Purpose statement – To be leaders in value creation.
People – We listen. We take pride in what we do and search for the best. We learn by listening to each other and to what the industry demands. This is how we elevate ourselves, our processes and our projects.
Service – We pay attention to the details. Driven to deliver excellence. To do what works and to what doesn’t. We’re on it. MKM is a team motivated to create award-winning projects.
Improvement – We’re a solutions-based team. Better to best. Problems are back ended with solutions. Lessons are learned and processes are improved. This is how we go from better to best.
Legacy. We create a succession of successes. It’s our trademark. What we build impacts the environment and communities. We want our building owners to be proud of what we have created together long after we’ve left the site.
Farmer Construction
After 65 years we know that by creating collaborative experiences we all win. Together we are a team that works towards empowering each other with integrity and respect. We take pride in our work as we strive to deliver exceptional value to you. This happens when we embrace the challenges, seeking innovative solutions in an effort to continuously improve. Our business is built communities through powerful partnerships.
Purpose statement – Positive impact. People, ideas, environment.
People – To empower each other with integrity and respect.
Service – To deliver exceptional value with pride.
Improvement – To embrace challenge, innovate and continuously improve.
Business we are in. Building communities through powerful partnerships.
Simon Sinek is our mentor when it comes to living with purpose – on purpose. If you haven’t already, we recommended anyone of his books, or join his podcast to listen to inspiring conversations with those of shared values.
Start with WHY
Start with WHY is Simon’s first and most popular book, having earned a spot on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. In this book, Simon shows that the leaders who’ve had the greatest influence in the world all think, act, and communicate the same way—and it’s the opposite of what everyone else does. Simon calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework upon which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired.
And it all starts with WHY.
https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/
Find Your WHY
Find Your WHY was created as a follow-up companion to Start with WHY. Designed to help those inspired by the message find their WHY and bring it to life in both their careers and organizations, this guide gives you practical steps on how to dig deep into your past and find your greater purpose.
Why we’re here.
Blogs produced by the Big Bold Idea include information on how we help to elevate you so that the world will follow… you. We are here to elevate reputations and define legacies through a process entitled Artic-e-late which is designed to articulate your brand and/or idea and elevate it. Through our retreat “space” at Lakewood, we offer a working journal entitled Stepping Out that includes prompts to experience stillness and put your next Big Bold Idea into words.