The Importance of Core Values

Every company — large or small — has a mission statement that guides it like the rudder of a ship across the waves of Return On Energy® (ROE) toward a golden horizon. While every successful vessel in this example has a mission, wind in its sail and a crew ready at the helm, making sure a philosophical ideology in the form of a short list of core values can be as invaluable as an anchor to any organization.

At Mojo Media Labs, we have six core values prominently displayed on our main wall that provides us with the inspiration and focus on what makes Mojo great. Those core values are, Creativity, Professional Development, Ridiculous Results, Conscious Collaboration, Reliability, and Passion. Everyone at Mojo keeps these values close at hand, at heart and during every moment of every day. Adhering to these six values motivates us to inspire one another and to produce the best work possible, not only for our clients, but for the next collaborative teammate.

Just like the proverbial anchor, established core values can provide stability to your crew and your company, help you weather storms of industry change, and help everyone from the steadfast Captain to new recruits focus on vision, direction and success.

It comes as no surprise that companies lacking a defined list of core values often lose sight of their horizon and become lost at sea. Without an anchor of principles and beliefs, your crew will struggle to define their desires, to embark on new journeys of continuous learning, motivating and inspiring others, and ultimately they fall short of working as a team to collectively reach common objectives.

Establishing a secure charter of company morals can be challenging. The first step is to gather your key players together around the Captain’s table for a brainstorm of ideas. Roll up the sleeves, bust out the poster pad and markers, order a pizza, and set your phones to stun. Oftentimes, these types of meetings a best served after-hours or on a day where no avoidable meetings are scheduled.

The second step is to focus on what makes your company remarkable. Imagine being on your city’s “Best Places To Work” list. What would that look like and why? Ask yourself, “What sets my company apart from my competition? What advantages does my company offer in the industry or marketplace? What generates repeat customers? How do all of these questions fit in with — or affect — my company’s workforce or team?” Remember to devise statements without kitschy buzzwords or corporate jargon — Use natural language and strike clear to the kernel of why your company exists and inspires your customers. Answering these key questions can not only provide you with a jumpstart on establishing core values, but will also help you understand your company’s culture.

The potential to come up with piles of pages scrawled with indispensable sentences exist. Rest assured, if this is the case, you and your team are on the right course. The next step is not only the easiest, but it’s also the most difficult. The easy part will come in the form of striking through the less-than-buoyant ideas; the difficult part will come in the form of narrowing the number of values that reflect your purpose, defines your culture, and embraces your company’s ideology.