Well done on completing this course. Here is a summary of the key ideas from the course. We encourage you to discuss what you have learnt with your team.
- Clear Communication
- Lead by Example
- Shared Accountability
- Team Alignment Exercises
- Values Integration into everyday work
- Ongoing Dialogue
- Values serve as guiding principles that shape the way team members think, act, and make decisions.
- Values help create consistency in how team members behave and interact with one another, clients, and stakeholders.
- Values guide team members in making ethical decisions, hopefully even redemptive decisions.
- Values provide a sense of purpose, contributing to team member satisfaction and motivation.
- Values set the tone for what is considered acceptable and encouraged within the organisation.
Values should serve as a foundational element in the decision-making processes within an organisation.
Alignment Assessment
Before making decisions, assess how well each available option aligns with the organisation’s values. We can ask ourselves “What will happen in 10 years if we decide this way or that way?”
Values-Based Framework
Develop a decision-making framework that explicitly incorporates the organisation’s values.
Values Integration
Integrate the values into policies, procedures, and guidelines to provide a reference point for decision-making.
Values as a Filter
Use the values as a filter to screen decisions and prioritise options that best align with the organisation’s values.
Stakeholder Consideration
Evaluate how decisions will impact various stakeholders, including team members, customers, partners, and the community.
Values-Driven Discussions
Encourage open and inclusive discussions among decision-makers to explore how different options align with the values.
Regular Evaluation
Periodically review and evaluate decisions to assess whether they align with the organisation’s values and have the desired impact.
- Incorporate the organisation’s values into the program design and development process.
- Assess current programs and activities to identify any gaps or areas that may not align with the values.
- Use the values as a guide when making decisions about program implementation.
- Regularly evaluate programs and activities to assess their effectiveness in aligning with the values.
- Clearly communicate the values and their relevance to each program and activity. Ensure that all stakeholders, including program participants, staff, and partners, understand how the values shape the organisation’s programs and activities.
- Provide training and educational opportunities for staff involved in program implementation.
If third-party relationships, such as donors, vendors, clients, or beneficiaries, do not align with your organisation’s values, it is important to carefully consider your approach.
- Before entering into any external relationship, conduct thorough evaluations and due diligence to assess the alignment of the third party’s values with your own.
- Clearly communicate your organisation’s values and expectations to all external parties.
- Engage in open dialogue with the third party to understand their perspectives and motivations.
- Clearly define what compromises are acceptable and when it becomes necessary to reconsider the relationship.
- Regularly monitor and assess the behaviour and actions of third parties to ensure ongoing alignment with your organisation’s values.
- Actively seek partnerships and collaborations with individuals, organisations, and stakeholders who share similar values.
- Be prepared to turn down funding or investments that are in conflict with your values, even if they may offer financial support. Making compromises on core values can lead to long-term negative consequences and damage your organisation’s integrity.
- When looking at Capacity, Chemistry, Character and Competence. What would you prioritise? How does that align with the organisational values?
- How can you improve your organisational values informing decision making? What changed need to be made to ensure this happens?
- How do you see the organisational values impacting day-to-day behaviour?
- How can you continuously reinforce and communicate the organisational values internally and externally?
Download the above summary and questions