Our valuable values
Of course values are important for every organisation, but do we know what staff really think about values? For most organisations, it is enough to have defined and communicated values to staff. For many, it seems to be enough to ask in the annual staff survey about the implementation of values in general. But do we really know how individual values are perceived and how they are implemented in everyday work and interactions?
Not unless we ask. Even then, this is often left to the individual manager. And do we know how values are perceived and committed to across the organisation, regardless of teams, units or sites? Not unless we ask.
And that's exactly what Finavia did. A unique and valuable values debate was created.
Ease of use surprised
We wanted to carry out the value conversation with all staff in a way that was light and transparent, and with a tool that was easy to use. Kaarina Soikkanen, Human Resources Manager, describes the project as "surprising in its practical implementation. With 1200 people in 1200 different locations doing very different jobs, many working shifts, you could imagine that the project would have been quite laborious.
"Technology helped. We were looking for a partner who could provide an easy-to-use solution that would allow us to participate in the values debate on our mobile phones - regardless of time and place. It also helped that the project was prepared in good cooperation within the company."
Active lobbying
The development project started with a vote on the existing Finavia Corporation values. Over 20 000 posts, 1700 votes and over 900 comments. And all this just for the values - the existing ones and the opportunity to propose new values for the organisation! In quite a few large organisations this is actually possible.
When the new values were introduced, the service was used to measure how the values were translated into people's everyday work. The debate continued to be lively: thousands of messages, voices and comments. Finavia learned how the values are implemented in different parts of the organisation.
Values debate as part of management
At Finavia, work on values has continued and will continue. It is not a single project that is abandoned at the end of a project, in the hope that the values will be remembered and discussed. "The values debate has sought to achieve lasting impact. Values are alive and you never finish with them," laughs Kaarina Soikkanen, HR Director at Finavia.
Kaarina Soikkanen, HR Director, Finavia
Key lessons from the values debate
Values are part of our strategy and culture. Whether it's customer experience, safety, renewal or responsibility, values are experienced in everyday situations. In addition to experience, practical action is essential. Values need to be committed to and should be reflected in the practical actions of the organisation. It is therefore necessary to understand that one must learn to take small steps forward. Patience is needed. That is lesson number one.
Another lesson is the importance of careful preparation, says Kaarina. Continuous dialogue with staff, including shop stewards, is needed. The values debate was also on the agenda of the management team and the board.
The third lesson relates to the active role of managers. It is not self-evident that managers take an active role. But if you understand values as a facilitator of everyday life, you can succeed here too. Values must be visible and be part of everyday life, part of what we do, part of our working culture.
The values debate requires courage
I think that a values debate like Finavia's requires a lot of courage. I was absolutely delighted when I heard my partner Vibemetrics' Mikko Ruokojoe talk about the new tool and service. It takes real courage to open a value conversation, to listen to your staff and to value their opinions. Courage to start a dialogue and engage in interaction. I believe that. I also believe that renewal in all its forms requires courage. The value base is an organisational asset that must be nurtured for the present and the future.
Thank you for allowing me to be on this value journey for a while. As I write this, I am thinking in particular of the airport official who "saved" my day at Joensuu airport one day. In that encounter, all the values were in place.
I recommend this to all my brave clients.
The author is Riitta Hyppänen, a leadership coach with a passion for making work life more meaningful. www.riittahyppanen.fi