By Syd Strike
Leading and managing is about maintaining that balance of purpose and values.
I often ask people what they can tell me about their company corporate objectives, and it is amazing how often the response is ‘to make money’
Over the years I have helped numerous senior management teams to compile objectives and values for their organisations and to effectively communicate these to the people so employees have a sense of ownership and a reason to live the company values.
I have been impressed by so many of the clients I have worked with who applied their own style and strategy to making things happen using purpose and values.
I remember standing at Poplar Rail Station with the Managing Director of Serco Docklands Light Railway as we headed to lunch to discuss our plan for people development. I asked him what were his corporate objectives. He responded immediately with his five objectives, some around the business and others around the people. And he had a plan for achieving each objective … I was part of the plan for ‘people’.
We worked together to engage the whole organisation in putting flesh on the objectives, rolling out objectives with every department producing objectives to support the corporate objectives. And then …
We followed the same pattern to revisit company values and included these in the appraisal process. What was also impressive was that every employee in the organisation was given input into the design of the appraisal process.
I am also impressed with Dalata Hotel Group. The organisation, headed by Chief Executive, Pat McCann and a dedicated, enthusiastic team of directors is clearly focused. The company was established in 2007 and is already the largest hotel operator in Ireland and operates hotels across the UK.
From my first involvement with Dalata I realised that this company has purpose and is clearly going places, now operating hotels in Ireland and the UK. However, it’s not just about money. For Pat and his team, people and service are at the top of their priority list.
Purpose and values are so ‘visible’ in the organisation and I am sure that most employees are very aware of this because they see positive behaviour and Dalata Values in every day management decisions. When business decisions are made one of the final checks is ‘Is this fair to our staff?’ A great question to ask whenever you make a business decision. The Values form a key part of induction and customer service training and Pat and his team clearly live and promote the values treating employees, customers and suppliers with the greatest respect and care.
More about Dalata in future issues.
And more about other amazing companies in future issues.
Would you like help in making purpose and values work in your organisation?
Would you like help in updating your appraisal process?
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