What Are My Organization’s Values?
Why does it all matter?
In the heart of every organization lies a set of core values—principles that dictate its culture, operations, and identity. As leaders strive to navigate the complex landscapes of modern business, understanding and articulating these values has never been more crucial. This clarity not only guides strategic decisions and behaviors within the organization but also plays a pivotal role in shaping effective and meaningful philanthropic giving programs. Here, we explore methods through which leaders can discern their organization's core values and leverage them to create impactful philanthropic initiatives.
Discovering Your Core Values
1. Reflect on Your Organization's Foundation
Begin by looking back to your organization's inception. What problem was it created to solve? What beliefs and principles guided its early days? Often, the founding story of an organization is a rich source of insights into its enduring values.
2. Analyze Your Culture and Practices
Examine the behaviors, rituals, and traditions that define your organization. What practices are rewarded? What behaviors are discouraged? The answers to these questions can reveal the values that are truly prioritized, sometimes even more than stated values do.
3. Engage Your Team
Your employees are a living embodiment of your organization's values. Conduct surveys, focus groups, or workshops to gather their perspectives on what they believe the organization stands for. This inclusive approach not only provides a broader understanding of your values but also fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among your team.
4. Evaluate Your Best and Worst Moments
Consider the moments when your organization was at its best and when it faced challenges. What values were upheld or compromised during these times? This reflection can help identify the principles that are most crucial to your identity and operations.
Leveraging Values in Philanthropy
1. Align Philanthropic Efforts with Core Values
Once you have a clear understanding of your organization's values, look for philanthropic causes that resonate with these principles. For instance, if innovation is a core value, consider supporting educational programs that foster creativity and technological advancement.
2. Involve Stakeholders in Philanthropic Decisions
Engage employees, customers, and other stakeholders in the process of selecting philanthropic initiatives. This collaborative approach ensures that your giving program resonates with the values of your broader community, enhancing its impact and significance.
3. Communicate Your Values Through Giving
Use your philanthropic activities as an opportunity to articulate and demonstrate your organization's values. Whether through targeted donations, volunteer initiatives, or partnerships with non-profits, every act of giving is a chance to reinforce what your organization stands for.
4. Measure Impact Based on Values
Develop metrics and benchmarks to assess the effectiveness of your philanthropic efforts, not just in terms of financial investment or outcomes but also in how well they reflect and promote your core values. This approach ensures that your philanthropy is not only doing good in the world but is also meaningful and authentic to your organization.
5. Share Your Story
Finally, share the stories of your philanthropic endeavors and how they align with your values. Whether through social media, company newsletters, or annual reports, these narratives can inspire others, enhance your brand reputation, and attract like-minded individuals and partners to your organization.
Understanding and articulating an organization's core values is a foundational step in creating a cohesive and impactful corporate culture. When these values are effectively leveraged in philanthropic giving programs, they not only amplify the positive impact on society but also reinforce the organization's identity, engage and motivate employees, and strengthen connections with customers and the community. In essence, a well-aligned philanthropic strategy is not just an extension of an organization's values; it is a powerful expression of its very essence.
