Levi Nieminen, Director of Research and Development at Denison Consulting outlines two tests business leaders can take to pressure test their organizational values to help ensure they aren’t “bland, toothless or just plain dishonest.” Here is what he offers:
1. Avoid the “feel-goods.” This is based on the idea that values cannot be battle-tested by success. Rather, companies should think about their values in relation to difficult situations they’ve faced. “Recall the three most challenging situations your organization [or team, etc.] has faced in the last few years and what the organization did in response to these situations. Now answer the following question: Do the values help to make sense of what was done and why?” If the honest answer is no, it may be time to reexamine what’s really valued in your organization. By trying to develop a set of values that can be used as a framework to guide decision-making, leaders can help their teams understand why decisions are being made.
2. Look at the “illogical” side. Many organizations today are moving away from values-based decision-making in favor of big data and analytics. But, in the absence of hard data we have to fall back on something to serve as our guide for action.When data isn’t present, or we don’t have all the facts, we have no choice but the fall back on our values.
“Recall the last three times when your organization [or team] made a decision ‘shooting from the hip,’ that is, when you didn’t have the intel that you wanted. In each case, describe the decision that was made and how the decision was reached. Now answer the following question: Do the values help you to explain or justify what was decided and why?”
There is a lot of value in quantitative data analysis and the information it provides, but data is becoming increasing more accessible to people as time goes on. Meaning, you and all your competitors will likely have access to identical data to inform your decisions.When that playing field of available information is level, the “illogical,” human-side of your decisions will ultimately be what sets you apart from the competition.
Originally published on Forbes