8 Ways to Align Team Values with Organizational Purpose

Posted by Perspect

Few things promise to increase the probability of mission failure more than a lack of alignment in organizational mission with individual values. Think of it this way, when there is a difference in what you value and what you do, an ‘integrity gap’ exists. If the gap is large enough, we experience frustration, dissatisfaction and stress-related disorders and by extension poor performance on the job.

We all have core values, some are more in tune with theirs than others, likely as a result of intentional reflection and contemplation. If you want to understand your core values better, download our core values exercise below.

As leaders, you have to clearly articulate your organization’s purpose in a way that employees can personally align to. Not sure what your organizational purpose is? Try answering these three questions:

1. Our Cause: What is our purpose, what reason do we really exist?
2. Our Actions: What do we do – and what value do we bring?
3. Our Impact: What positive changes are we making?

You may find that some of your team members may not be able to align their core values with your organizational purpose for various reasons. Acknowledging this is a good thing. You need people on your team that believe in the business at its core. The fact is people need to be in a place where they can be authentic in their daily work to be truly effective and happy. If we don’t feel meaning from our daily work, we are likely in the wrong business.

Try the following tips to deepen your team’s alignment:

1. Validate your purpose. See exercise above
2. Validate team member’s core values and test for gaps (try our core values exercise)
3. Link organizational purpose and incentives to exhibited individual behaviours
4. Consistently communicate and demonstrate purpose and values (internal and external) – not as a chant to memorize but as a way to succeed as a person, a team and an organization.
5. Adopt value-driven HR policies that market, attract, retain and terminate based on company values
6. As you deepen alignment and display a culture that exemplifies your core values and purpose, capitalize on this as a competitive differentiator
7. Align key stakeholders and customers with your purpose and values
8. Momentum is key. Keep up the amazing leadership and sustain momentum!

Leadership Assessment

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. To learn more about how your purpose fits into the 10 areas of leadership impact take a free leadership assessment here. You never know what you will find out about yourself.