It's Not Rocket Science: 4 Simple Strategies for Mastering the Art of Execution

Chapter 23The Core Value Pillar

The Challenge

Cultures are severely weakened when leaders tolerate toxic achievers (those who produce well but demonstrate deficient character). These team members are often talented and hardworking but are known for being selfish, divisive, dramatic, or disrespectful. Without clear and meaningful core values at the bedrock of culture, holding these folks accountable for executing within the parameters of expected behaviors rarely happens fast or often enough. To exacerbate matters, some organizations have core values, but no one even knows what they are! Other organizations have completely failed in this cultural responsibility and have never created core values at all. To master the art of execution, an organization must be staffed with people who demonstrate both competence and character. These people can produce desirable outcomes as well as exhibit desirable behaviors.

Values Are Every Leader's Responsibility

Creating core values is not an intellectual exercise; rather, it is a vital leadership responsibility that reinforces the strength of your culture. However, until the values are lived, reinforced, and brought to life in your workplace, they are relegated to little more than management talk without the walk. Following are baseline thoughts and strategies that explain why these values are important. I'm also including five core values with examples of how my company, LearnToLead, uses them as a filter for hiring, firing, and decision ...