How do You Operate? What Are Your Core Values?

Why would you want to articulate your core values?

What ARE values, anyway?

Last week I met with Angela Robertson, who told me all about a new company that Candyss Bryant has founded, called Candyss and Associates. Candyss used to work at Austin Community College’s Center for Nonprofit Organizations. Now her company runs large scale events for the military and veterans. When Candyss was telling Angela about how she operated, she said, right off the bat, these are my core values. And Angela has watched her stick by them. Which is powerful! Could YOU articulate your core values, to each person you work with, or for?

If you’re curious what Candyss’ core values are, I copied these directly from her website:

Core Values:

1. Foster trusting and authentic relationships: Through a commitment to creating win-win partnerships.
2. Be dependable: Remain available and follow through with the work promised.
3. Be predictable: Provide quality services.
4. Show genuine interest and curiosity: Ask sincere questions to gain understanding of each client’s individuals needs and intent.
5. Approach conversations with sincerity: Listen to others before offering advice and/or making recommendations.
6. Empower others: Find ways to help clients build skill, competency and expertise.
7. Create win-win opportunities: Look for outcomes that will benefit all representatives in a process.
8. Honor all commitments: Do what we say we are going to do.
9. Work hard – Play Hard: Give 100 percent effort, enjoy the folks we work with and do not overlook the time to celebrate successes.
10. Cultivate business relationships not business transactions: Pick up work and volunteer experiences that we are passionate about and enjoy the people rather than earning a pay check.
11. Celebrate successes….no matter how great or small: Never overlook an opportunity to reward self and others for a job well done.
12. Go beyond expectations: Follow the motto 100% and then some. Keep expectations low and then always deliver more than is expected.
13. Never leave doubt of our passion: Be passionate about every opportunity we choose to be involved.
14. Get things done: Do not put off to tomorrow what can be accomplished today!
15. Find opportunities to be both a student and a teacher: We learn just as much from the clients we work with as they learn from us.
16. Take the time to show appreciation: Always show gratitude for opportunities and for those that help us to achieve the objective.
17. Be honest: Admit when we are unable to complete a task or when our competencies and skills are not the best fit for a job.

Now that you’ve read Candyss’ core values, what are YOUR core values?

Whether you’re working full time for a nonprofit, or are starting your own business, how would you like to operate?

Which one or ones of these would work for you? Leave a comment with a number-1, 3, 5?

Any that you would add for yourself?