Actions for Establishing and Integrating Core Values as the Operating Philosophy of the Organization

Once a set of core values is approved by management, hopefully after due diligence has been given to the ideas and inputs of internal and external stakeholders, the job of integrating the values into the hearts and mind of the organizational stakeholders is next. As we have discussed in previous postings, having a set of core values within an organization is of little worth unless they are bought into and internalized by everyone. They must become the operating philosophy for all decisions and actions by everyone in the organization to be effective. The buy-in must start at the top of the organization and work downward and across the organization until it becomes its accepted norm and its defining culture. A culture where everyone agrees with what expected organizational behavior looks like and they voluntarily order their own behaviors in alignment with the established set of value. Furthermore, everyone must consider it their corporate responsibility to hold others equally accountable for compliance, not just themselves.


Having included all stakeholders in the process of core value development the process of acceptance and adoption should be an easier task, yet, there is much work to be done. Listed below are a few practical ways I think will help transition an organization into becoming a principled, ethical and character based organization based upon core values as the accepted operating philosophy.

Action Step One

The organizational head (CEO) introduces the core values to the organization and declares the day the beginning of a new era; an era that begins with the incorporation of a new operating philosophy based upon the establishment of a new set of core values.


The first action is for the head of the organization to communicate to all employees and stakeholders that he fully supports and authorizes the new incorporated core values as the new operating philosophy of the organization. He should reiterate that the core values are the result of input and advice from stakeholders across the organizational landscape and they are not the work and selection of management alone. The values belong to the organization and are not solely owned by him or upper management. He should state that the core values selected are an accurate representation of the ideal character of the organization as recommended and selected by all stakeholders. The core values will represent to the entire world who they are, what they stand for and how they will do business as an organization going forward.


The CEO must acknowledge that the selected core values represent a new beginning in how organizational behaviors and decisions are to be made. These values will guide everyone, every day, in every situation as to what action they should take. He should emphasize that the organizational values, from this day forward, are the foundational rock that everything else stands. The CEO is to communicate with absolute clarity that from this time forward the behaviors of everyone within the organization will be judged according to how they align with the new core values. There are to be no excepting circumstances and no individual or groups who are above the core value standard. Simply put, there is a new way of doing business in town and it is the clear standard that everyone will be measured against.

Action Step Two

The organizational head (CEO) pledges that his personal actions and behaviors will be in perfect alignment with the selected core values and expects to be held accountable.


The organizational head is to give his solemn word, his pledge and promise that he all of his decisions, actions, and behaviors will be fully aligned with the organizational core values. He openly invites scrutiny by everyone to judge his conduct according to the organization’s core values. The asked and expects to be held accountable as he will be holding others accountable. He demands others to call him out for any real or perceive incongruities between the core values and his actions. The CEO gives his personal promise that all decisions and actions by him will be honorable and he will do nothing personally or professional that will embarrass them or the organization. This will give others within the organization confidence that the new values, as a standard, will be administered equally and fairly up, down and across the organization, including the CEO.


More action steps will be forthcoming with the next posting. Have a great weekend.

Esse Quam Videri!



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