We often quote Jim Colllins, author of Good to Great, in our seminars. Jim has worked with senior executives and CEOs at over a hundred
corporations. He has also worked with social sector organizations
across the spectrum, from education and the arts to religious
organizations, local and federal government, healthcare, and
cause-driven nonprofits. He has authored or coauthored six books that have sold in total more than ten million copies worldwide.
Two services we offer to companies are values training an our Values in Action Toolkit. Jim's article on aligning action and values is a perfect complimentary piece to our work. Enjoy.
Aligning Action and Values
By Jim Collins
Executives spend too much time drafting, wordsmithing, and redrafting
vision statements, mission statements, values statements, purpose
statements, aspiration statements, and so on. They spend nowhere
near enough time trying to align their organizations with the
values and visions already in place.
Studying and working closely with some of the world’s most
visionary organizations has made it clear that they concentrate
primarily on the process of alignment, not on crafting the perfect
“statement.” Not that it is a waste of time to think
through fundamental questions like, “What are our core values?
What is our fundamental reason for existence? What do we aspire
to achieve and become?” Indeed, these are very important
questions—questions that get at the “vision” of
the organization.
Read On Labels: action. values, align, cornerstone leadership solutions, good to great, jim collins, studying, toolkit, values in action
