Values and Vision on a global scale
From the greatest to the smallest of challenges…
Hope and realism, that is the tension that President Obama sought
to elaborate in his inaugural address. It is a timely reflection. We
are in an economic downturn that may be longer and deeper than
any in recent times, and yet, if this story is to remain the focus of
our vision, our thoughts, and our actions, very little will change.
It is the infusion of hope that creates a vision, that lifts us out of
our worst fears and gives us the courage to make decisions, to
accept what is, whilst still seeking to create something new. Such
is the power of having a vision, and acting out of our values, that
we are able, not only to embrace challenge, but to exceed our
own expectations of what is possible.
This is not necessarily easy. Indeed, having values demands rigour
in order to act in line with our values, even when that is neither
comfortable nor convenient. It demands discipline, for we cannot
choose to embrace our values in moments of ease and reject them
when they require more of us than we are willing to give.
So, globally and locally what does it mean to put values and visions
to work in business? It means taking the challenge of today – a
deluge of too much work, a run in with a colleague, a set-back
with a client – and passing it through the prism of your values …
(Continued below)
Last in the series: Thriving in Tough Times
Breakfast Seminar – March 26th
We offer a last chance to attend this very well-received seminar.
To see previous participants response click here.
In just two hours, you will discover powerful, practical, proven tools
that will help you and your company emerge from these challenging
times with greater clarity, commitment and confidence.
Early bird special – bring a colleague for free if you book before
February 27th. For more information and/or to book, click here.
Or telephone 01344 628329 today.
Venue: Hilton Bracknell RG12 0QL
Cost: £65 (inc VAT)
Time: 7.30am for 8.00am – 10.00am
Values and Vision on a global scale (Continued from above)
… and your vision. This requires dedication and commitment.
Too easily the old habits rear their heads. It requires that you
become aware of your core value, for example it might be
Humour, and let that value guide your choices and actions in
response to the deluge, colleague or client.
Birmingham City Council had the audacity to place values at the
heart of what it does and to bring daily behaviours and actions
into line with the values: Belief, Excellence, Success, Trust. The
results speak volumes. In 2006, confidence was low, with only
24% of staff saying that change was well managed and only 56%
saying they felt motivated. Two years later, 83% felt motivated
in their jobs and 90% felt proud to work for the council. Values
work fast and deep.
In a society that too often encourages the easy option, living
through our values provides us an opportunity to grow, to
stretch ourselves, to discover new depths and greater resources
within ourselves and to apply them in our lives. It is an effort
that is seldom wasted.
Story – Walking alongside
From Neil Denny
I fell off my bike on Tuesday. I had seen some sheet ice up ahead on
the cycle path and so started to brake in plenty of time. As I swung
my right leg over the saddle to dismount I realised, too late, that I
was already on black ice.
The bike and I went down. My cycle helmet hit the pavement with a
sickening crack (thank God I had put it on) and I took the rest of the
fall squarely on my right shoulder. I was embarrassed and shocked but
picked myself up and started to walk along the grass verge past the ice.
Another cyclist passed me by a few metres and having done so, then
stopped and waited for me to catch up with him.
"You've fallen off, haven't you?" he said. "Yes" I replied. With that he
got off his bike and walked alongside me for a while.
"Are you okay?" he asked, "Where did you hit?" and such like. We walked
for maybe a few hundred metres as he made sure I was alright. Was
there anything he could do? Was I sure that I was alright to carry on?
and so forth.
And then, once we got to safer surfaces he said goodbye and continued
on his own journey. Frankly, I was touched by this unselfish concern
and compassion.
It struck me that this was a powerful story.
These are historic days with the markets and challenges we all face. As
Obama says, we do have to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off,
but do you know what?
When we have someone who chooses to stop on their own journey, and
chooses to walk alongside us for a while, then it makes a terrific
difference.
I wonder what we can each do to help our contacts and colleagues.
How can we walk alongside them for a while, and what would that
mean to them?
The Framework for Transformation
Principle No. 2: Values and Vision
Last month we looked at the principle of always starting from the
present reality of the here-and-now. The second principle is to hold
the here-and-now in tension with our values and vision, indeed to
let the values and vision inform and flow into the here-and-now.
If you are uncomfortable with a colleague, hold that in the
perspective of your vision. Do you really want to be skirmishing
down there in the weeds? Does that take you any nearer to your
vision? And how can your values temper and embolden your
response to your colleague? Are ego, or cowardice or impatience
clouding the issue?
Our values are fundamental to who we are. They give us a sense of
what is important and enduring in our lives. They reflect the way
we wish to live and they determine the legacy we leave. They
provide a framework through which we can make decisions that
support our vision and our beliefs.
Activity:
Take a moment to become still and breathe… allow your mind to
become still. Now become aware of the issue on top for you and
with this in mind, project yourself forward to your vision of your life
in 10 years from now.
With this big picture in mind, come back to the present moment…
What are your fundamental values, those values by which you
choose to live…? Going back to the issue on top, pass it through each
value… Allow a vision to emerge for the action that would be line
with your values…
What has become clearer for you? What will you do now?
Applying the Vision
Choosing a different way
At a time of flattened profits and job cuts – hard times – Andrew
Witty, the new CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, has chosen to take a
courageous and far-reaching long-term decision. He has a vision of
helping to develop and provide the drugs needed for the world’s
poor, of creating a ‘patent pool’, and of cutting prices radically.
It is a risky step, and he and the company are taking that step at a
time when many businesses are focused only on short-term survival.
Cynics will remain cynical. But for those who believe that change is
possible, this vision of a different way of being a pharmaceutical
company is a sign of hope. What are the signs of hope in your
organisation?
Vision is the powerhouse that drives us forward in the world, that
inspires our choices and behaviours, our willingness to take risks.
Values are the cement that holds it together.
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