Let’s see, where were we…ah yes discussing change in organizations. Are you in an organization that understands their strategies and core values? Do they remain fixed while practices adapt to change. There are times when strategies must be adjusted and practices will change, but the core values are the foundation that remains the same.

There is a difference between what should never change and what in the organization should be open to change. To understand the vision of an organization it is imperative that you understand the core values or ideology and what the organization is seeking in the future. Core values and core purpose are those fundamentals that do not change and tells you where you are. The future is where you may be going and that can change as the world and economy changes. Can your organization demonstrate core tenets this well?

Can you articulate the core values of your organization? Living in Orlando provides an example or core values in an organization that is demonstrated to the world daily. Not only can employees articulate the value but anyone familiar with Walt Disney Company’s core values have a clear understanding of imagination and wholesomeness, product excellence and service to the customer.

Let’s ask your employees what core values do you personally bring to work? These core values are values you would communicate to your children, hold regardless of the rewards and will continue throughout your work and home life. Will these values be as important 100 years from now as they are today? If you were in charge of your organization, what core values would you espouse?

So it has been established that we need to clearly articulate our core values. Next let’s talk Core Purpose. An organization has a core purpose and that is to reach for a star but never quite get there. The purpose of an an organization lies in it’s reason for being. Well of course it is to make money and provide value to shareholders. Hmmmm is there more to the purpose of your organization than that? If it wnt away tomorrow what would the world miss by not having your organization exist? Keep asking why and you will begin to discover the purpose of an organization. A hospital might indicate we have an ER, why? We pay our nurses a percentage more than any other hospital in the region, Why? We provide educational opportunities for the community, Why? Keep asking the why questions to identify the purpose.

An organization can demonstrate competence just as an employee can but purpose provides what your organization stands for at the end of the day.

In conclusion, if it isn’t core, it can be changed. So what will you change and how will you foster that change. Answer all these questions as you begin any change process or initiative in an organization or implementation.

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