In our journey to express our values, we often find ourselves faced with the need to translate them into actionable steps.
One effective way to achieve this is by using what we call “Operating Principles” – concise descriptions of how each value will be put into action. These principles serve as vital reference points, helping us navigate conflicting motivations and priorities when making decisions in various situations.
Let’s take the value of teamwork, for example. If this is one of your core values, an operating principle could be crafted as follows:
“The team will meet on a weekly basis to ensure that everyone is informed of issues that affect our business. These meetings will give us an opportunity to share information and knowledge with each other, address any issues or concerns and make sure each member of the team is focused on doing all the right things to move the business forward.”
Operating principles are like guiding stars, illuminating the path to action in diverse circumstances. When well-thought-out and consistently reinforced, they ensure that our decisions and actions are aligned with our overarching goal of doing the right things, rather than merely doing things right.
As you work on building your Business Plan, you will identify the four to six values that hold significance for your venture. While outlining your Operating Principles, you will vividly illustrate how you intend to put these values into practice, setting a clear roadmap for your business’s success.
In summary, Operating Principles play a crucial role in bridging the gap between values and action. They provide a practical framework to help us express our values in tangible ways within our business endeavors.
