Core values matter.
Guiding principles matter. The WHO part of the organization determines the WHAT and the HOW, or at least it should.
We often help nonprofits outline their core values. Usually this is a list of 'virtues' they want to associate with but these qualities should impact HOW they operate: IT IS THE POINT OF IDENTIFYING THEM. Constructing a list of good character traits is meaningless unless it impacts the work in tangible ways. So how are you measuring up to your core values or guiding principles? Consider this:
Ask three (or more) professional colleagues to write down five characteristics of your organization. Ask them to give examples of how they see these characteristics in action. You are after truth in action here, not atta boys. Ask people who will give you honest feedback.
Ask three (or more) staff to write down five words that describe key characteristics of your organization and give examples that support those qualities. This is a great exercise in the quest for self-assessment.
Review your core values/guiding principles with your leadership team. Give concrete examples of where you have demonstrated those qualities and concrete examples of where you've fallen short.
We all want our organizations to shine and be known as 'virtuous' but the proof is in the pudding, as they say. Let's make sure we measure up and where we don't, let's strive do do better.
-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP
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