Revitalize Your Core Values

In a world where many organizational mission statements are resigned to dusty frames in breakrooms, elite leaders understand a fundamental truth: language drives behavior. In the latest episode of The Thermostat Podcast, host Jason V. Barger explores how to move beyond “poster-on-the-wall” philosophy and turn corporate culture into a living, breathing competitive advantage.

Summary: From Posters to Tools

Many employees have become cynical about corporate values because they often represent a gap between what is said and what is actually done. Jason argues that if we cannot articulate what we want for the future in action and behavior, we cannot be surprised when it doesn’t exist. This is where the concept of revitalization becomes critical.

Revitalizing core values isn’t about changing the soul of an organization for the sake of change; it is about entering a disciplined process to ensure the language still serves the mission today. By engaging in a revitalization process every 8 to 10 years, organizations can re-engage their people, providing clear sight lines into the future they are aiming to create. This clarity is the bedrock of effective leadership in teams, serving as a guide for every decision, from high-level strategy to daily interactions.

The 4 Pillars of Value Revitalization

To transform language into a tool for corporate culture, Jason outlines four essential themes:

1. Participatory Engagement: Language is more powerful when it isn’t handed down from on high. Involving people cross-functionally across the organization makes the future vision real to those who have to live it.

2. Aspirational Vision: Values shouldn’t just describe the culture you have today; they must articulate the culture you need to cultivate for the future.

3. Precision in Language: Vague terms like “integrity” need to be defined with clarity. What does that specific value look like in action and behavior?

4. The Functional Tool: Once the language is set, it must be anchored in the “hard” systems of the business—hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, and leadership development.

Notable Quotes

“Language drives behavior. If we can’t articulate what we want for the future in action and behavior, we can’t be surprised when it doesn’t exist.”

“Core values are meant to be a tool, not just a poster. The best cultures have compelling language that is alive and well.”

“Revitalization is key. We aren’t changing the values, but we are entering into a process to step back and look at the language and assess whether it still serves you today.”

“Culture is a non-negotiable strategy. It’s foundational to everything you do. Culture isn’t an add-on; it’s the air we breathe.”

Questions to Ponder

As you look to calibrate your team’s thermostat and breathe new life into your organization’s mission, consider these questions from the close of the episode:

1. Revitalization: How could you help revitalize your core values language right now?

2. Precision: What level of precision would help drive the specific future behaviors you want to see in your team?

3. Engagement: How could you help engage with your people to co-create that future vision?

4. Strategy: Is your culture currently a “non-negotiable strategy,” or is it still being treated as an add-on?

Links and References