No I’m not talking about whether you have values, we all have them. This is about do you walk your talk and do you even know what walk you’re supposed to be taking?
Before you even think about anything else in your business, it’s time to take a step back and understand what your values are. Failure to do this will make it much harder for you to run a great business.
All businesses have values.
In some respects, values are often seen as a company’s culture. I find that companies where the owner has thought about their own personal values and how to integrate them in their business help the company work better than businesses that just float along.
I want you to ask yourself what sort of values does your business really present to the world. Then I want you to ask if those values are ones that you’re proud of? If the answer isn’t a resounding yes, you might want to do something about that.
Do the values in your company mimic your own personal values?
First, you need to know what your own personal values are. If you can’t easily put together the top ten values that you live your life then it might be a great idea to find a system that helps.
We have an in-depth values clarification system that will help you uncover what’s important in your life. Once you find out what your values are, you can ask whether you’ve done a good job of integrating those values into your company.
My bet is you could do a much better job. The reward will be worth the time you spend on it.
What was the reason you decided to get into your own business?
I want you to go back to when you first started your company. Now, I want you to think about what values you wanted your company to present to the world.
Have you stayed true to your values or have you let the marketplace and others in your business make you wander? If the answer is yes I have wandered, ask yourself if you’re happy with the result you’re getting from your business. If the answer is no, think about how you can bring yourself back to what got you started in business in the first place.
Do you have a system for figuring out what your values are?
I mentioned this above and its worth repeating. If you don’t have a system for identifying and evaluating how your values fit in with your personal life and then your business your business probably isn’t as successful as it could be.
Using a systematic approach to evaluating your values is something that you could probably use. If you’re interested in learning more about what we do, click here and set a time for us to talk.
It’s all about building a culture of congruence
If your company’s values and your personal values match you’ll find that running your business is effortless. If they don’t match, there’s a good chance you often scratch your head and wonder if there’s a better way.
I want you to have an easy time running your business. It all starts with values and mission. When both are congruent with who you are and what you believe life is much easier than when you’re fighting against your true beliefs.
You’ll like the outcome
When you match your personal values with your business you’ll find it’s easy for people to figure out what you’re about. The people who should do business with you will find it easy to understand why.
Those who shouldn’t be working with you will find it easier to stay away. The end result of this is you’ll have much less stress in your life and won’t have to put up with people who just aren’t your cup of tea.
I’m hoping you’ll find this outcome one that’s more pleasant than working with everyone who crosses your path. Why don’t you let me know what you’re thinking about your values in the comments below?
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