What are values-based policies, and why do we have them?
In the complicated world of business, there's a key factor that often shapes a company's direction – its values.
Values are the fundamental beliefs that shape an organisation's culture, behaviour, and decisions. They are the compass that points towards what is considered important and desirable within the company's framework.
Because values are so significant, it is also important to explore the significance of values-based policies, what they entail, and why they are crucial for businesses of all sizes.
What are Values?
Values are the deeply ingrained principles that govern an individual's or organisation's behaviour. They represent what is deemed significant and guide actions and decisions. Values can encompass a wide range of ideals, including integrity, honesty, respect, innovation, teamwork, and social responsibility. They reflect the identity and ethos of an organisation, shaping its culture and relationships with stakeholders.
What are Values-Based Policies?
A values-based policy is a set of guidelines and principles that articulate an organisation's core values and how they are upheld in its operations. These policies outline the expected behaviours and standards of conduct for employees, managers, and other stakeholders. They serve as a framework for decision-making, ensuring that actions align with the organisation's values and objectives.
What Our Values Are
When starting a business, it's important to think about the principles that will steer it. At On the Same Page Consulting, we believe in being guided by certain values. These values are Empathy, Integrity, Reliability, Independence and Creativity. These values shape how we do business, making sure we act ethically, consistently, freely, and with innovation.
Much of our policies, procedures, and quality assurance processes are based on these values. The values also guide our decision making and give us a framework for how we behave to our customers, teammates, and collaborators.
We also have three more values that only apply internally: Resourcefulness, Honesty, and Openness.
These are about how we act individually and as a team. These Values are intended to guide the individual behaviour of our employees by allowing them to understand what attributes are important to display when interacting within the business.
Why Are Values Important?
Values play a key role in shaping organisational culture, driving employee engagement, and building trust with stakeholders. They provide a common purpose and direction, aligning individuals towards shared goals and objectives - making sure everyone is “on the same page”.
Values-based organisations have the potential to be more resilient, adaptable, and sustainable, as they often make decisions guided by principles rather than short-term gains. Likewise, values instil a sense of pride and belonging among employees, fostering loyalty and retention.
How to Write Values-Based Policy?
Writing values-based policies involves a thoughtful and deliberate process that aligns with the organisation's values and objectives. Here are key steps to consider:
Identify core values: Define the core values that reflect the ethos and identity of your organisation.
When OTSPC first opened for business, our director decided on our five core external values, and three more core internal values.
Write clear policies: Clearly explained policies that embody these values and outline expected behaviours and standards of conduct.
At OTSPC, we have a “Business values and culture” section in our “OTSPC Explained” employee handbook. This outlines all our values, both internal and external.
Provide guidelines: Offer specific guidelines and procedures that demonstrate how values are upheld in day-to-day operations.
In our “business values and culture” policy, we provide outlines of what it means to uphold each of our business values.
Communicate effectively: Communicate policies to all stakeholders and ensure understanding through training and engagement.
At OTSPC, we have all new employees read through our policies as part of our onboarding procedure- this includes our values policy. This practice ensures that everyone at OTSPC knows what our values are and what it means to recognise those values.
Lead by example: Demonstrate leadership commitment to values-based policies through actions and decisions. This is most important for the Owner/CEO of a business, but also relates to every employee, because everyone in a team should be leading by example when it comes to values.
Our senior employees lead by example for our Juniors at OTSPC, ensuring everyone sees first-hand what it looks like to display our values.
Monitor compliance: Establish mechanisms to monitor compliance and address instances of non-compliance promptly. This could involve check-ins with employees during 1 on 1 meetings, Reminders about values in team meetings, asking for client reviews or just message check-ups for the team occasionally to ask how they have been upholding the business values.
We have monthly team meetings with all employees, where values are discussed, as well as junior team members having senior mentors who can help to guide their actions within the company. If non-compliance is ever noted, it is always addressed and rectified by our Managing Director.
To wrap it up, values-based policies are essential for organisations to uphold their principles, foster a positive culture, and build trust with stakeholders.
By integrating values into policies and practices, businesses can create a stronger, more resilient foundation for sustainable growth and success.
At OTSPC, we are proud to embrace our values and try to uphold them in everything we do, and we think it is incredibly important that those values are codified in policy.
If you are interested in how OTSPC can help you define your values and incorporate them in your policies, visit the contact us page to book in a time to discuss your needs.
