1

5 Ways to Effectively Communicate Corporate Values with Employees

Corporate values are essential to building a solid foundation for lasting success. Often perceived as the glue that holds organizations together, they are integral to team cohesion, strategic focus, and work-culture development. Without them, businesses are inundated with low performance and productivity, high turnover rates, and a lack of clarity. However, having core values isn’t enough. They must be effectively communicated and embedded within an organization’s DNA to produce desired results.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations have re-established their values to align with new ways of working and interaction, inclusive cultures, and to promote employee retention. Let’s explore five ways to ensure your values are presented, ensuring your business is on track for sustainable success.

  1. Show more than telling. Implementation of core values starts from the top down. Leading by example is one of the most effective ways to communicate core values. The more employees see leadership intentionally exemplifying values, the more apt they are to take personal ownership. For example, if a core value is an inclusion, leaders must exhibit unbiased and inclusive behavior with every employee.

  2. Establish Core Value Shout-outs. Core values are often the behavior drivers in an organization. When leadership or colleagues recognize individuals actively “living out” values in the workplace, it motivates others to do the same. A great way to establish core value shout-outs is through company awards designed around them.

  3. Communicate values often. Repetition brings revelation. Leaders should weave core values throughout day-to-day business communication. A helpful and organic way to put this into practice is via staff and one-on-one meetings and project planning.

  4. Keep it simple. Company values and how they are communicated should be as simplified as possible. Be succinct and provide clear examples without over-complicating the message. Employees should be able to quickly and easily memorize values without having a cheat sheet in their back pocket.

  5. Facilitate employee workshops. Uniting as a team to explore values, behaviors, and what is and isn’t working is a timeless way to communicate core values. Sometimes values need to be altered and giving employees the opportunity to provide input increases inclusivity and belonging. 
3 Principles Leaders Should Apply to Build Unity in Divisive Workplaces

3 Principles Leaders Should Apply to Build Unity in Divisive Workplaces

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth

One of the greatest traits leaders can cultivate throughout their workplace is unity, particularly in today’s workplace climate. Over the last couple of years, many organizations have witnessed spikes in workplace division, discord, lack of trust, and overall lack of engagement. Much of this can be attributed to recent political, health, and social justice events that continue to divide Americans and the world-at-large.

Creating a united work culture built upon trust, equity, and respect isn’t impossible; however, intentional planning, action, and sustainability is required from leaders and their employees. This isn’t to say conflicts or disagreements won’t arise, but leaders and employees should be equipped to resolve discord quickly and effectively when they do.

A significant component to jumpstarting workplace unity is leadership responsibility and ownership. As previously mentioned, mutual effort is required from employers and employees, but a thriving culture of teamwork and unity begins with a leader accepting the responsibility to drive necessary change for desired results. A leader’s behavior either promotes unity or division. Consider the three principles below to steer your team’s unity in an advantageous direction:

  1. Create a Cohesive Vision: Where there is no vision, there is no meaningful direction. If employees don’t feel as though they are working together for the common good, they are less likely to strive for unity. Consistently communicate the strategic vision and expectations to help employees move forward in one accord.

  2. Invest in Professional Team Development Efforts: Sometimes there are challenges only professionals and subject matter experts can help solve. Alchemy Consulting Group development process leads “groups” to work together as “teams” by identifying teamwork barriers, discussion and action planning, and realization of different styles of team members. The primary outcome of the team development process is an organization that is more effective in carrying out its mission and more successful in accomplishing sustainable bottom-line results.

  3. Create collaboration and avoid competition: Leaders should take the “one band, one sound” approach. Encourage individual value and uniqueness, while focusing the organization’s success on teamwork. Leaders should give individual recognition where appropriate, but avoid incentivized competition. Teamwork still makes the dream work. 
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion You Can't Do It on Your Own

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: You Can’t Do It on Your Own

Throughout my career, I’ve seen many companies struggle to cultivate scalable and sustainable Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion strategies, along with tackling unconscious biases head-on. Many don’t know where to begin, lack sustainable infrastructure, or are often applying “one-size-fits-all” antiquated  methods that are more statistical than people-driven.  

No matter what an organization’s pain points are, nothing excites my team and I more at Alchemy Consulting Group than giving organizations tailored tools to build capacity and manage resources for mission and people-driven results. Diversity is more than demographic numbers and filled seats. In order to thrive in this area, companies need innovative perspectives to think and talk about diversity, while equipping employees at every level with proven skills to foster equity and inclusion in the workplace, effectively.

For over 25 years, I’ve partnered with corporate, government and nonprofit entities bridging the gap between objectives and execution through robust coaching experiences that drive workforce transformation. Focus areas include DE&I, unconscious biases, leadership & team development, and communications. Each area is approached with real-time data assessment for custom solutions built to last. The process is facilitated transparently, involving people from across organizations to help identify strengths, development needs and issues. 

Communication, consultation and education is key to developing clear and concise solutions from a straightforward approach.

remote working

How to Build Unity in Remote Work Teams

Over the last two years, many companies transitioned to remote and hybrid work modes during the global COVID pandemic. For large tech companies seasoned in driving high-performance remote teams, this conversion has been another day at the office. Other organizations whose employees once thrived on in-person communication and interactions are now experiencing some negative impacts of remote work arrangements. 

One of the significant concerns leaders have faced during this shift is maintaining a healthy and unified work culture where trust, accountability, and ownership are still the foundation and fabric. Many want to know how to keep their employees engaged with one another and the work, and it’s not impossible! However, it does require intention, strategy, and commitment from leaders and employees.

Whether in-person or remote, it’s important to remember that authentic workplace relationships don’t happen overnight. They are cultivated through genuine experiences that take place over time. Below are three powerful ways to strengthen employees’ unity, trust, and productivity in any remote workforce. 

  1. Host routine video calls. Encourage real-time team transparency and interaction just as you would in a traditional office setting. Videos are a great way to do that. Relax if you hear a baby crying or a dog barking in the background for a few moments. It’s not the end of the world. Be empathetic, kind, and patient with one another. After all, you’re in this together, right?

  2. Create shared habits. Employees are people, not robots, and remote work experiences must be humanized to the best of a leader’s ability. Get your team’s ideas and feedback on this! Ways to facilitate shared rituals include virtual coffee hours, weekly discussions on the most exciting projects, orchestrating a virtual watercooler, etc.

  3. Implement collaborative software. “Companies that utilize team collaboration applications report significantly increased group and personal productivity, have a faster time to market, and execute projects [quicker],” suggests Wayne Kurtzman, research director at the International Data Corporation (IDC). 
mental health workplace

Mental Health Awareness: 3 Ways HR & Workplace Leaders Can Help

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, studies have shown that over 46% of global employees experienced a decline in mental health. Further data depicts that 83% of American workers experience mental health challenges and often feel their mental health needs are inadequately acknowledged or supported by their employers. Given the facts, many employees are window shopping for employment opportunities within inclusive work cultures, demonstrating equity and genuine care and concern. 

Employers and HR Leaders must understand that mental health is a real issue affecting millions of workers. That said, mental health isn’t a topic we should be afraid of or avoid addressing. If anything, work cultures should actively engage in professional training and dialogue to eliminate surrounding stigmas and be there for hard-working employees when they need us the most.

Outward productivity begins within. The highest-performing employees know they are valued for the person they are, not just their work. 

Below are three simple and practical ways employers can create an inclusive culture for employees with mental health challenges. 

  1. Promote professional education and awareness. Employees are worth the investment of an experienced consultant. Offer training, classes, and/or workshops that eliminate misconceptions, revealing the facts vs. myths.

  2. Provide safe spaces. Employers must intentionally cultivate safe and trustworthy cultures where all employees are respected and given the freedom to be open, honest, and talk things out confidentiality. Having vetted resources on hand is another great way to show empathy and inclusion.

  3. Regularly evaluate workplace stress. Employers should always see how their staff is managing heavy workloads. Constant stress and burnout can negatively impact mental health and overall performance. The work will always be there, but people won’t. Check-in on your people and take the time to see how they’re doing.