Cultivating values in the workplace: the why’s and how’s

”Tell me what you pay attention to, and I will tell you who you are.”

José Ortega y Gasset

Have you ever thought about what matters most to you in life? Is it family, freedom, or morality? Is it career and success? At work we might have a different set of values. Priorities may be being on time and acting responsibly. Would it be better to align your personal and professional values? In today’s fast-paced world, finding that balance has become increasingly important. The harmony of these values can not only enhance individual growth but also contribute to the success of an organization.

The question remains the same: how do we integrate such values into our everyday work lives?

This is the way

Values guide us in our personal and professional lives allowing us to set priorities and make decisions. Here at Neoperl, we have a simple goal: to breathe life into our corporate values Excellence, Responsibility, Passion, and inspire Neoperl employees to integrate them into their everyday work lives.

Now it’s time for you to reflect on your values and identify ways to blend them into your daily routines.

”Tell me what you pay attention to, and I will tell you who you are.”

José Ortega y Gasset

The question remains the same: how do we integrate such values into our everyday work lives?

About our values at Neoperl

Corporate values are a fantastic way to communicate a clear idea of what is expected of employees, and what they are encouraged to do. They are necessary to create a unified identity by guiding employees’ behavior inwardly and outwardly.

Neoperl has defined three core company values: Excellence, Responsibility and Passion. They are listed in a so-called Culture Guide, which is an informative document for Neoperl employees, explaining the meaning behind the values.

For each value, guiding principles of action, such as “We learn from each other”, “We act as a role model”, “We deliver the highest quality” and many more can be explored. These provide detailed directions on how to use the Neoperl company values. You might also come up with fresh and unique ways to apply them to your regular work life ─ as long as it works for you.

Now let’s dive into what the Neoperl values stand for!

This is how we do it

Guiding our daily behavior at work is one aspect of the Neoperl values. Inspiring us to do better and strive for success is another. However, since everyone has their own learning curve and style, there is not just one correct way to remember or apply the values. As a visual learner, I imagine the Neoperl values as their respective symbols in my head (diamond, hands, heart). It also helps to keep a Culture Guide at hand for inspiration.

What’s more, all Neoperl employees have access to training courses on our platform LEARNeo. Our core values and behavioral guiding principles are part of such a training course. To gain insight into employee behavior based on the core values, annual employee surveys are carried out.

Taking the time to reflect on what values mean to you is vital. Who knows what other creative ways there are to help with striving for excellence, taking responsibility, and showing passion?

Worry not! The task is not yours alone. Some companies take the time and effort organizing specific events where core values can be discussed in detail. For others, constant knowledge sharing is a priority, so company values are a part of everyday interactions between colleagues. Maybe the secret lies in the mix of the two? What works for some may not work for others.

Here come the Value Ambassadors

It is apparent that corporate values are necessary for building a strong workplace culture and boosting overall job satisfaction. So, wouldn’t it be great if companies had a designated group of employees committed to finding ways to apply the company values?

At Neoperl, this group is called the Value Ambassadors. They are Neoperl employees and managers from various departments at different locations. All current Value Ambassadors have volunteered for this task and are supported by their local HR departments.

Their mission is to create activities that stimulate reflection and conversation on the Neoperl values. The goal is to bring the company values alive by motivating employees to remember and incorporate them in their daily routines.

The power of caring: how Value Ambassadors inspire us

Now how exactly do the Value Ambassadors work? Their process starts by asking questions and actively listening to their colleagues. Through meetings and employee surveys, the Value Ambassadors collect tangible data on which values and guiding principles need more attention. After this phase, they brainstorm ideas on how to promote these values in the form of activities and events for Neoperl employees, the objective being to live the company values every day. Examples come from the Neoperl team in Malvern, England, where a Sports and Games Tournament named Neolympics
was organized to foster teamwork, as well as monthly office birthday parties for all local Neoperl employees born in the same month, in line with their 2023 focus principle: We communicate our expectations.

Now how exactly do the Value Ambassadors work? Their process starts by asking questions and actively listening to their colleagues. Through meetings and employee surveys, the Value Ambassadors collect tangible data on which values and guiding principles need more attention.

After this phase, they brainstorm ideas on how to promote these values in the form of activities and events for Neoperl employees, the objective being to live the company values every day. Examples come from the Neoperl team in Malvern, England, where a Sports and Games Tournament named Neolympics

was organized to foster teamwork, as well as monthly office birthday parties for all local Neoperl employees born in the same month, in line with their 2023 focus principle: We communicate our expectations.

Events like these motivate employees to reflect on what values mean to them and how to use them more in their daily lives.